Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Wednesday 27 February 1929, page 1


SHOCKING TRAGEDY

FAMILY PERISH IN FIRE

MURDER, ARSON, AND SUICIDE SUPPORTED BY POLICE FIND

LAUNCESTON, Tuesday.

Seven members of a family named Archer perished in a fire which destroyed their home at Don, near Devonport, shortly before 6 o'clock this morning.

Police inquiries have disclosed details of the shocking tragedy. The police found a double-barrelled gun under the body of Thomas Archer, and it is now thought that he killed

his wife and then set fire to the house.

There was a discharged cartridge in the gun, while a razor was also found on the bed near the wife's head. All the bodies were burnt to cinders, and no wounds, of course, could

be discerned.

The victims were: Thomas Archer, 49, Mrs. Alice Archer, 35; Lexier Archer, 11; Phylis Archer, 9: Murray Archer, 6; Trevor Archer, 4; Nelmor

Archer, 10 months.

The fire was noticed shortly after 6 o'clock by a neighbour, who, on finding he could not make anyone hear, commenced to move the furni-

ture on to the road. He then made the horrifying discovery of the victim's bodies. Before he could re-move them, or get help, the house was destroyed.

All were in bed except the father, who was found lying beside a bed.

When the bodies were recovered Mrs. Archer was holding a baby in her

arms.