The Sun. — 1863-08-13 (London, England)

AND SUICIDE.  Yesterday morning, shortly after 12 o'clock, the inhabitants of St. Matthew, Bethnal-green, were alarmed by the news of a most brutal murder and the suicide of the murderer.  It appears from what can be gleaned by the reporter that the crime was committed at No. 4 Glebestreet, Glebe-road, Bethnal-green. The house was occupied by a weaver named James Dnpey, with his wife and three children. They retired to rest shortly after 11 o'clock, all lying in one room, and about midnight a cry of " Murder !" was heard by Mr. Joseph English, the landlcrd of the Florists' Arms Tavern, who was just about to close. He ran to the front of the house, which was nearly opposite, when screams of " Murder !" " Police !" were distinctly heard. Several of the immediate neighbours likewise rushed out and met the elder son, about 18 years of age, who exclaimed, "Oh, pray come upstairs ; my father has killed my mother." Mr. English proceeded to the apartment, and discovered a most fearful scene; the wife was lying upon a small bed in the corner of the room, in her nightdress, with her throat cut from ear to ear, and the bedclothes were saturated with blood. The husband had made his escape out of the house, followed by one of the neighbours. He ran at full speed down Glebe-street, in the direction of Victoria Park, where he succeeded in getting clear away. A messenger ran for a police officer, when Sergeant Feist, 163 K, who was near the spot, attended. Ho sent for Dr. James Ralph, the divisional medical officer, of No. 237, Bethnal-green-road, who promptly attended, and pronounced life extinct. The wound in the front of the wife's neck was about six inches in length, and divided all the main arteries. Death must have been instantaneous.  Several persons went in pursuit of the murderer, and when they reached the Regent's•canal, near the chief entrance to the park, a coat and hat were found lying on the towing-path. Information was given to the police-constable on the beat, when he called Mr. Russell, the lock-keeper, who procured the drags to discover the body of the murderer. It was then about half-past 12 o'clock, but the body was not recovered until 5 o'clock yesterday morning. Mr. Ralph, the surgeon, examined the body on the towing path, and found a frightful gash in the front of the neck, which had been inflicted immediately before submersion. A razor, besmeared with blood, was found in the deceased's pocket, and the weapon (which was handed to the police) was found to be one which the deceased used to shave himself with at home.  The body of the deceased woman still remains at tire house, but the body of the husband was removed to the dead-house at the rear of Bethnalgreen workhouse, to await the inquest. Mr. Burrows, the summoning officer of the district, proceeded to the house at an early hour yesterday morning, and made inquiry. He interrogated the eider daughter, and it would appear that she slept on the floor, by the side of her parents, when she was suddenly aroused by her father stepping upon her. She sat up and heard a gurgling noise. The deceased woman was struggling, and exclaimed faintly, " Oh, Henry, don't cut my throat." Her father was partly dressed, and, placing the razor in his trousers pocket, he ran out of the house. The cause of the fearful act cannot at present be ascertained, but the deceased man, who was 68 years of age, had been subject to attacks of delirium.  Information was forwarded to Mr. John Humphreys, the coroner, and the investigation will be opened to-day at the Prince of Wales Tavern, Bonner-road, Victoria-park.