FOUND DEAD IN BED.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19841, 31 January 1930, Page 8

FOUND DEAD IN BED.

- -—♦ CAUSE NOT DISCOVERED. "I've conducted hundreds of inquests, but this is the first time I've arrived at this conclusion," commented the Coroner (Mr E. D. Mosley) yesterday, when holding an inquest into tho death of John James Michael Barrett. Barrett, who was aged 41, was found dead at 104 Queen struct. Sydenham, on January 12th, but, after an examination by tho Government pathologist and the Government analyst, no cause of death was disclosed. The verdict was that Barrett >vas found dead in bed between DecernW 24th, 1929, and January 12th. 1030, Hit that thero was no cvidome to show the cause of death. Dr. A. B- Pearson, who conducted a post-mortem examination, stated that ho"was unable to find signs of any injury, nor was he able to ascribe the cause of death. Tho Coroner said that tho Government analyst's report showed that his examination had returned a negative Constable E. W. Fibbes said that ho last saw Barrett alive at 6 p.m. on l)ecemb"r 24th. He appeared to be in his usual health and did not show signs of drink. Constable G. P. Norris. who is stationed at Svdonham, said that at 12.20 p.m. on January 12th he was informed that Barrett was lying in bed at 10-1 Queen street. Sydenham, and that he appeared to be dead. He found that this was so. Barrett was lying on' his left side facing the wall. The bedclothes (,| 'e P'dled right up to his neck. Tfc showed no signs of having been disturbed. He found nothing that would account, for his death. Ho removed the body to th. ? morgue Owincr to i»c state of the body, it was impossible f.» any marks of violence even if there had been any. He had ' known Barrett for about two veirs He was a temperate man, ihou'«'h he did not appear quite normal."