Parent's Quarrels Killed Sensitive Son

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 189, 12 August 1939, Page 9 (Supplement)

Parent's Quarrels Killed Sensitive Son

jiyfOTHER and father sat apart, separated by a gangway at Camberwell Coroner's Court, and heard a witness declare that their 1 7-year-old son had committed suicide because the mother nagged him so much about her quarrels with her husband. The son, Vincent Louis Denver, an engineer's assistant, of Camberwell, hanged himself by his belt, and a verdict was recorded that he committed suicide while the balance of his mind was disturbed when suffering from neurasthenia aggravated by domestic trouble. The mother, Mrs. Lily Frances Denyer, broke down and cried when giving evidence. She admitted that her married life had not been a happy one, and there had been constant quarrels with her lrus band. If Vincent happened to be in the room when a quarrel began he would walk out and hide himself. He JFas Happier After a Break She added that she had left her husband a month before, and her three sons had gone with her. Vincent seemed happier afterwards. Mrs. Bridget Ellen Kerr, who occupied the top flat of the house, said Vincent was not like a normal boy of 17, and would sit for hours doing nothing as though he had something on his mind.