Australian Royalty: Genealogy of the colony of NSW

24064/1947 PAUL JOHN ALVIN MCNABB JOAN MARY KURRI KURRI

“Cessnock Eagle” Tuesday, 30th July, 1946:
A very enjoyable evening was spent in the Parish Hall, Weston, on Saturday, July 20th, to celebrate the 21st birthday of Miss Joan McNabb. Mr. Jock Bates officiated as Chairman. The tables were very tastefully decorated in blue and pink, the birthday cake was decorated in pink and was made and given by Mrs. M. Farrell. About 80 guests sat down to supper. Speakers congratulated the guest of the evening on attaining her majority, and spoke in glowing terms of her many sterling qualities. Miss McNabb was the recipient of many very beautiful birthday presents.

After finding himself in financial difficulties because of gambling and borrowing from loan sharks, Alvin PAUL committed murder/suicide of his wife and himself on 24th March, 1949. The bodies were discovered by Joan's brother Tom McNabb.

'Canberra Times' Friday 25 Mar 1949
MAN BATTERS WIFE AND SUICIDES
NEWCASTLE, Thurdsay
A man and his wife were found dead late to-day in a house in First-street Weston. They were Joseph Alvin Paul, 23, and Joan Mary Paul, 23.
Mrs. Paul had been battered about the head with an iron bar. She was found lying on a bed.
Paul's body was also on the bed.
He is believed to have died from poisoning.
The police belive the tragedy occurred last night.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul lived with Mrs. Paul's mother, who was at Cessnock last night.
Paul had been a toy-maker for the past few months.
The couple had been married about a year.

“Maitland Mercury” of Friday, 25th March, 1949:

TWO DEAD IN TRAGEDY AT WESTON.
WESTON, Friday – The body of a 23-year old woman, whose head had been battered by an iron bar, was found late yesterday by Mr. Thomas McNabb, brother of the dead woman. In the same room, he found the body of his sister’s husband.
Those dead are Joseph Alvin Paul, aged 23, of First St., Weston, and his wife, Joan Mary Paul of the same age.
Police believe that Paul murdered his wife, and then committed suicide by drinking cyanide.
Both had been dead some hours when their bodies were discovered.
McNabb had made an appointment to meet Paul, and when there was no appearance of Paul, he went to his home to investigate.
Police took possession of a note, which had been written by Paul. It said he intended taking the lives of his wife and himself.
It is believed he was in financial trouble.
A heavy piece of iron, 18 inches long, wrapped tightly in a cloth, and a tin of poison were found in the room.
The couple had been married only about 16 months.
Paul, who was born at Abermain, had been in business at Weston as a toy-maker.
Before he went into this business less than a year ago, he had been employed as a draughtsman with J. and A. Brown.
Police inquiries are being supervised by Det. Sgt. D. Sutherland, of West Maitland.