A MAN died from drowning eight hours after the body of his former
girlfriend was found in her home, the results of a post mortem
examination yesterday showed.
It also emerged that one of the three women Bert Samson had married
killed herself after he had faced a charge of attempting to murder her,
and he was convicted of assaulting a second wife.
Samson's body was recovered from Methil docks on Friday. Police had
found the body of Mrs Georgie Weir, a 39-year-old divorcee, in her home
in Brent Place, Glenrothes, the previous day. She had been strangled.
Police yesterday confirmed that they were not looking for anyone in
connection with the deaths.
Samson, 52, of Main Street, Thornton, Fife, had a violent history. He
had a number of convictions for breach of the peace and assault, but
never went to prison. He was sentenced to probation or community
service, disposals recommended by social workers in background reports.
Several years ago, Samson assisted authorities in a project involving
wayward Fife youngsters. A painter and decorator, he supervised them
while they painted houses in the Lochgelly and Ballingry areas.
A spokeswoman for Fife Regional Council confirmed he had been employed
by the social work department as a community service supervisor. He
worked with the authority for about one year, and left in March 1987.
His background emerged yesterday after a post mortem examination
revealed that he died from drowning early on Thursday morning, about
eight hours after strangling his former girlfriend.
Mrs Weir, a mother of a grown-up son and daughter, was a former dux of
Uddingston Grammar School. It is believed Samson strangled her then took
her red company Metro car to his former workplace at Methil docks and
drove off the quayside. His body was recovered on Friday afternoon.
As pathologists completed their examination, details of Samson's
''Jekyll and Hyde'' life, understood to be caused by drink problems and
suicidal tendencies, came to light. It emerged that:
* His first wife, Anna, mother of his only son who is now grown up,
left him and went to live in Canada.
* His second wife also left him. Samson was admonished at Cupar
Sheriff Court on a charge of assaulting her about 10 years ago.
* His third wife, Laurena, fled from the couple's home in Markinch
because of his violence. Samson pursued her to her parents' home in
Callander, broke in, attempted to strangle her, and slashed her car
tyres.
He originally faced an attempted murder charge, but the
procurator-fiscal's office in Stirling yesterday confirmed the charge
had been reduced and Samson was sentenced to a total of 180 hours'
community service in June 1990.
* Nine months later, Laurena, who is believed to have been terrified
of Samson and may have been subjected to further assaults she was afraid
to report to police, led a hose pipe from the exhaust of her car and
killed herself.
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