Her death a mystery

Associated Press · [ca. November 1954]

An FBI handwriting analysis is underway to determine whether the death of Mrs. Maxine Cruickshank, 34, (above) and her husband, Alex, 29, of Burlington, Vt., were "homicide and suicide, or double suicide," State's Atty. Allan Bruce said today (Nov. 23). Mrs. Cruickshank, whose husband was a shoe-chain operator in Burlington and Plattsburgh, N.Y., is pictured displaying shoes at a recent fashion show. Cruickshank was found dead last Thursday in his home, a pistol and note by his side. His wife was found dying of a bullet wound 16 hours later with a pistol by her side in their nearby summer home. Bruce said a preliminary audit of the stores, of which Mrs. Cruickshank was cashier, has revealed a $5,000 shortage.