August 21, 1934
Composer’s Death Believed Suicide
HOLLYWOOD—Almost as strange as some of the make-believe mysteries it has produced, the death of Jerry Jarnegin, music composer and husband of Irene Franklin, musical comedy actress, offered Hollywood a new puzzle today.
Jarnegin’s lifeless body, a gaping bullet wound in the right temple, was found in a large overstuffed easy chair in the living room of his home on Lake Hollywood drive last night.
Strangely, the revolver which caused his death was found in another chair about six feet away.
Order Investigation
A thorough investigation was ordered by Captain Bert Wallis, head of the los Angeles police department homicide squad. Wallis said, however, the case appeared to him to be one of suicide. The revolver that took Jarnegin’s life was his own, Miss Franklin reported, but she was unable to give any motive for the suicide, if such it was.
Three guests were present at the Janegin home when death struck the composer. They were Miss Dorothy Watson of Lake Charles, La., a niece of Miss Franklin, who has been her house guest since last June; Miss Watson’s fiance, William Green, who arrived Saturday from Lake Charles and also was a house guest, and Mrs. Wally Klein, a friend of the Jarnegins.
Shot Rings Out
Serving the dinner, Miss Franklin seated her guests and called to her husband to join them. As she called, a shot rang out. Miss Franklin ran to the living room, where she found the lifeless body of her husband.
Captain Wallis said he believed that Miss Franklin picked up the revolver from beside the body and tossed it into the chair on finding the body of her husband. This, however, Miss Franklin denied.
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