VERDICT OF SUICIDE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 73, 19 December 1933, Page 11

VERDICT OF SUICIDE

Deaths of Auckland Couple ILLNESS OF HUSBAND By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, December 18 The inquest into the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Brander, who were found dead in the kitchen of their house in Remuera on Sunday morning, was held this morning. Evidence was given by the maid that she found the kitchen door locked, and smelt gas. She had seen both the deceased at about 11.15 p.m. on Saturday in the kitchen, and they appeared to be quite cheerful. Other evidence showed that a note addressed to the maid was left on the telephone in Mrs. Brander's handwriting. She had also left a note for her married sister indicating her intention of committing suicide. Brander was found lying on the kitchen floor close to the gas stove, with his head, on his wife’s knees. She was lying with her head on a cushion. A doctor said that he had been attending Brander, who was suffering from an Incurable disease, his days being numbered. His wife knew the seriousness of her husband's illness, and had been very depressed. The coroner returned a verdict of suicide by gas poisoning.