GAS POISONING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 276, 20 November 1926, Page 15

GAS POISONING.

VERDICT OF SUICIDE. FATE OF MIDDLE-AGED MAN. William James Murray, aged 42, was this morning found lying in front of the gas stove in the kitchen of a house in Mill Street, off Symonds Street, with a gas tube iv his mouth, and the gas turned on. An inquest was this morning held before the coroner, Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M. Caroline Douglas stated that the deceased was a boarder with her. She last saw him alive last evening. At about seven o'clock he retired to his room, and at thafr time he appeared to be cheerful. At five o'clock this morning Mr. Douglas found him lying in the kitchen in front of the gas stove, with a gas tube in his mouth. The gas was turned on. Witness found two letters on deceased's bed. the police were informed, but on arrival found the man dead. The letters found on the bed showed that deceased had great domestic troubles. Although he had been married for 25 years, his wife had lately taken out a separation order against him. He left one letter to his wife, and one to Mrs. Douglas. The coroner returned a verdict that the deceased committed suicide by gas poisoning while in a state of distress.