MURDER AND SUICIDE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20620, 9 August 1932, Page 3

MURDER AND SUICIDE.

FATHER AND SON POISONED BY GAS. CORONER'S FINDING. (mESS ASSOCIATION TILS3KAM.) AUCKLAND, August 8. The adjourned inquest into the deaths of William Charles Morrison, aged 60, and his five-year-old 6on, John Albert Morrison, who were found dead in bed in an apartment house in tho city on July 31st, was concluded to-day. When.the tragedy was discovered, gas was escaping from a heater in the room. The heater was turned on but not lighted. Juno Love, boarding-house proprietress, said Morrison came to live in the house about six weeks ago. He occupied a bed sitting-room, and had his little son, to whom he was much attached, to stay with him at weekends. A few days before the tragedy witness signed at Morrison's request what purported to be a will, as a witness. On July 29th, the boy was brought to tho house to visit his father. They slept together that night, and on the following afternoon they attended a football match at Carlaw Park, but came home early, as Mr Morrison was feeling unwell. The father played cards in the, evening and appeared normal when ho retired to bed with his child. Nothing out of the ordinary was heard during the night, but on Sunday morning witness noticed a smell of gas, and later found father and son dead in their room, which was filled with gas from the heater. "Except that Morrison was very depressed, I noticed nothing unusual about him on the previous day, and he gave me no indication that ho intended to take his life or that of the boy," said witness. "The house had been locked over night, and as 1 held the keys, it was impossible for any person to enter without my knowledge." Dr. Lindsay said that he found the bodies in an attitude of deep repose, both man and boy having died in their sleep. There was no sign of a,disturbance. Ida Morrison said she separated from her husband about seven months ago. Ho had suffered considerably from a I war injury to the knee, and had had numerous operations. For some time he had appeared mentally depressed and wandering in his manner. He had never given any indication that he intended to commit suicide 'or take the boy's life. The Coroner returned a verdict that death was due to poisoning by coal gas. In the case of the father death was brought about by his own act, and in the case of tho son by tho act of the father.