BURNT TO DEATH.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15649, 22 July 1916, Page 10

BURNT TO DEATH.

A WOMAN'S TRAGIC END. '

(press association tzlzorau.)

IVUNEDIN. July 21

A distressing fatalitv is reported from Ravensbourne? tJpon returning home at 9.50 p.m. from Port Chalmers, George Anderson, a carpenter, found his house locked up. On effecting an entrance he discovered his wife, Thoinasina Anderson, aged 36, lying in a passage, apparently having been burned to death. Only a vestige of clothing was left on her. The fire from the burning garments had burned through the linoleum on the floor, and also through a board an inch thick where she lay. It is believed that the fatality was the result of mental illness. Bank books and gold articles were found to have been burnt in the fireplace. It appeared from the Evidence given at the inquest that the deceased had been admitted to the Seacliff Mental Hospital in January, and was discharged about three weeks later. She suffered from hallucinations, but went about her household duties as usual. She must have "been seized with sadden suicidal tendency, for she had. smashed some of the furniture, sprinkled kerosene about liberally, and set fire to the chairs and sofa in the front room. - It was a wonder that the place was not burnt down.

The coroner (Mr Bartholomew) found that death was due to shock from burns self-inflicted, the deceased being of unsound mind at the time.