Paul Pueller.com

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wednesday, July 6th, 1932.

Zachary Smith Reynolds, 20-year-old heir to the R.J. Reynolds' tobacco millions, estimated

at over $50 million, was reported dying in a local hospital early today from an apparently

self-inflicted bullet wound. Physicians said he had no chance for recovery, the bullet having entered his head just behind the right ear,

and passed completely through and out the other side. Reynolds, his wife, the former Libby Holman,

Broadway torch singer, Alfred B. Ab Walker, friend of Reynolds, and a young woman cousin of Mrs. Reynolds had spent

the evening at Reynolds's home. Walker said that as they prepared to retire about 1 a.m., he went

downstairs to close up the household, and from a lower window saw Reynolds go out on a balcony outside his bedroom.

A moment later, a muffled shot was heard and Mrs. Reynolds screamed that her husband was shot,

Walker said. Reynolds was said to have been seen on the balcony cleaning the pistol earlier in the

day.

Members of the household declined to hazard any speculation as to a possible suicide motive.

Smith Reynolds, sion of the wealthy North Carolina tobacco family,

recently made the first pages by his secret marriage to Libby Holman,

Broadway's premier torch singer.

The romance of the aired of the Reynolds Tobacco Millions and the Broadway actress became known

last May 20th when they were discovered together at the Ambassador Hotel here.

The couple had been married several months, it was then learned.

The Almanide singer, who is 26, is six years the senior of her youthful husband.

Their marriage took place soon after Reynolds' reno divorce from Anne Cannon, daughter of a wealthy Carolina manufacturer.

Under the terms of the divorce, Reynolds was reported to have made a settlement of $1 million on his first wife.

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