Yonkers Herald Statesman
Thursday, January 6, 1955
page 28

U.S. Customs Sergeant Found Dead In Hotel

Apparently a victim of an overdose of sleeping capsules, Gustav Hayes, thirty-five, of 346 Riverdale Avenue, was found dead in Room 102 of the Windham Hotel, 5 Hudson Street, shortly before Noon yesterday.

Mr. Hayes, described by police as a sergeant of the U. S. Customs Guard in New York City, has been dead "for a considerable time", police say. An official verdict to cause of death was awaited by police today from the County Medical Examiner, who ordered the body removed to Grasslands Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Registered Dec. 31

Police were told that Mr. Hayes registered at the hotel at 9 P.M. Dec. 31, giving the name and address of "George Harris of Lincolndale, N. Y.," He paid one night's room rent and went to the room.

He had not been seen or heard so Harold Cartlidge, day manager, went to the room yesterday to inquire about the rental due for the interim. He found the man, clad in an undershirt, lying face downward, dead. Mr. Cartlidge notified police.

Detectives Louis Cacace and James Morrissey and First Precinct police under Sgt. John Havrish investigated. They turned over to the Medical Examiner some capsules found in the room. No notes were found.

Wife notified

Mrs. Barbara Hayes, wife of the deceased, was notified. Police say she called at police headquarters "over the weekend" to inquire if they had any word of her husband but she had not officially reported him missing.

Dr. Muretin Eber of St. Joseph's Hospital pronounced him dead.

Gustav T Hayes