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Barbara’s sister, Mrs. Joseph Goss, of 330 Palmetto Street, verified her sister had been with her the evening before. She was taken to view the body of the assailant but she shook her head. “I’ve never seen him before,” she said. “The cause of this trouble is a profound mystery to me and all members of our family. Barbara was at my house in Palmetto street until about 11 o’clock Wednesday night. She was in a most cheerful mood and we laughed and talked for two hours while sewing on a waist she was helping me make.”

The window through which the intruder entered was only about five feet from the pavement. The police were able to verify another detail in Cornelius’ story about the intruder shooting at him by locating the bullet buried in the wall opposite the window.

The detectives insisted from the start that the murder was motivated by jealousy or revenge. The killer had plenty of time to commit the murder and escape, if he wanted to.

Further investigation turned up two postal cards and at least one letter found among Barbara’s possessions. The first one, mailed Christmas, read: “Dear Bessie: From one who loves you and wishes you many happy returns on Christmas. G.” A second card, which was for Easter, read: “Dear Bessie: Best wishes of season from a self-made man. If all the people were like Lincoln what a grand world this would be. G. M.”

Another letter read in part: “Wishing that you may remain true to one that loves you! May you never be troubled by physical ills or mental troubles. May your path be strewn with roses the sincere wish of one that adores you.”

The communications were undated and all were mailed in envelopes that were since discarded.

The assailant hadn’t made much effort to hide his identity and the police soon found out who he was. By the time the bodies were removed to the Brooklyn Morgue in the Kings County Hospital, he was named as George McAghon, the assistant yardmaster of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He had been at his job for two years and earned a monthly salary of $120.

George was a 35-year-old widower who lived at 160 Erie street, Jersey City with his four daughters, who ranged in age from 5 years old to 12. His sister Jennie lived with them and cared for the girls. No one had anything bad to say about McAghon. He was described as a temperate man who was a member of the Brotherhood of Trainmen. He belonged to St. Mary’s Catholic Church and attended services there frequently. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization.

Jennie McAghon said she’d  never heard of Mrs. Cornelius. “It’s all too horrible for belief,” she said. “I can tell you absolutely nothing that will explain it.” She said she last saw her brother the night before the crime, when he left the house early in the evening.

A search of McAghon’s room revealed no letters from Mrs. Cornelius. Police, however, were confident that McAghon’s actions showed he was familiar with the layout of the Cornelius apartment. Neighbors who viewed the body of the dead man said they had seen him at the corner drug store recently, making purchases there that might be intended for a woman.

Cornelius said he had never heard of any admirer of his wife and declared he never saw the postcards and letters found among his wife’s effects. “I cannot account for what has happened,” he said. “My wife and I were very happy together. I never saw McAghon before and have no way of knowing that Mrs. Cornelius was acquainted with him.”

Based on the forensic evidence at the scene, Cornelius was completely absolved from any part in the crime.