The Sun. — 1858-12-21 (London, England)

EPPING FOREST. , --:,,:iii', ;;.,.' e,Z 1 iqt• it, e•-: ' W ALTHAMOrojAp---7-t 1,47 " • This day, Mr. C. C. Lewis, coroner foisitted! 4,,c4..A,r, -441, -, and the jury previously empanelled, re-a.4ibleil S at the Wake Arms, Epping-road, Epping Forest, - ' in the parish of Loughton, for the purpose of further proceeding with the investigation touching the ' death of the female and child whose lifeless bodies were found in a pond in the Forest, about a mile distant from the Wake Arms, about three weeks since.  The dreadful affair continues enveloped in the greatest mystery, and the utmost excitement prevails throughout not only the neighbourhoods of Waltham and Epping, but the whole of the surrounding district, and this has been enhanced through a suspicion gaining ground that the shocking occurrence is not simply one of murder and suicide, but the act of a third person. Mr. Superintendent Clark, of the county constabulary, together with Mr. Inspector Thompson and Sergeant Brenchly, of the K division of police, who have been most actively engaged endeavouring to glean some clue to the identification of the deceased and the circumstances under which they came by their deaths, attended the investigation. The Coroner, upon interrogating the 'officers a to whether any identification had taken place, was informed that although the bodies had remained exposed at the Waltham Cemetery, no person had as yet come forward to identify the deceased. Mr. Inspector Thompson handed in a description of the deceased, which had been sent round to the various police stations. The notice described the woman as stout•built, with dark hair, and about 25 years of age, while the child, a male, was about four months old. The latter was neatly and mespectably clad, while the woman's attire betokened that of a person in a humble station of life. Owing to the painful mystery hanging over the matter, it was thought necessary to have the pond emptied in which the bodies were found, in order to see if any bludgeon had been thrown in, or if there were any stumps at the bottom that could account for certain severe injuries about the female** head. This operation was commenced on Saturday, and was proceeding with to-day, a large body of men being engaged at the work, in the hope that the pond might have been emptied in time for the Court to receive evidence in the matter, as to any discovery that might be made ; but the pond is a large and deep one, covering about a quarter of an acre, and between seven or eight feet deep in some parts, so that it will take some time to draw and pump the water off. The clearing of the pond and an examination of the bottom is rendered essentially necessary, owing to the turn the medical evidence has taken, which distinctly proves that the child met his death by violence prior to immersion.  ..... The principal witness examined was Mr. Joseph Clegg, surgeon, of Epping, who deposed as to the result of the post-mortem examination he had made of both deceased, and, stated that he had found marks of blows on the person of each. As regarded the child, his opinion was that itsdeath was attributable to a blow on the head. The woman had died from suffocation in the water, but there was a blow on the forehead which he could not say had been inflicted before or after immersion. The inquiry was again adjourned.