From the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9/23/1944, p. 4, c. 7

Gun Proves False Clue in Krengel Case

The mystery slaying of John Ernest Krengel, now entering its third week, appeared no nearer solution yesterday as Chief O. D. Garton reported that the gun found last week at the Tredegar Iron Works was not the weapon used in the killing.

Following the return yesterday of the FBI’s reports on the bullets fired from the suspected weapons, bullets from another gun, also found at the iron works, were sent to Washington for investigation.

The second gun added to the suspicion list was in a place comparable to the first gun and was a .22 caliber pistol, Chief Garton said. He added that it was not near the scene of the crime, Chief Garton explained, that like the first gun, the second gun was in such a place as to be handled by most anyone in the plant.

Bullet Only Clue

The only definitive clue so far revealed by detectives arose out of the FBI’s report which showed that the bullet taken from the brain of Mr. Krengel was shot through a .22 caliber pistol.

Detective-Sergeant E. A. Kelley and C. L. Brown are still working on the case and Chief Garton said that every possible angle of the case is being checked.

Mr. Krengel’s body was found on September 6, stuffed between shelves in the pattern supply building of the iron works. Detectives believe that the slaying occurred the previous day around noon as Mr. Kregel was not seen after about 10:30 A. M. September 5. At the time of the killing of Mr. Krengel he was said to be carrying a large sum of money, believed to be in the thousands.

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