DEATH OF CHINESE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 279, 22 August 1944, Page 6

DEATH OF CHINESE

Coroner Returns Open Verdict (Dy Telegraph.—Press Association.) WAIROA, August 21. Giving evidence at the inquest on Sue Bing, who was found dead on July 15 iu what the police termed suspicious circumstances, Dr. D. A. Riddell stated that the body was found in a fantastic, froglike attitude with a handkerchief knotted at the back and tied round the throat. Though this was somewhat loose when found there was evidence that at the time of death it was tight Witness continued that he was of the opinion that death was the result ,of strangulation. Dr. Lynch, pathologist, in a report, concurred with Dr. Riddells opinion, and also stated that in cases, of slow strangulation bizarre and almost impossible attitudes might be taken by the victim, but he had never seen anything so fantastic as in this case. “Iu ray opinion,” continued Dr. Lynch's statement, “deceased was overcome by a suicidal impulse and tied a handkerchief round his own neck. Loss of consciousness would follow very quickly and it appears to me that Sue Bing then pitched forward on to his face, thus accounting for the position in which the body was found.” Mr. C. V.Chamberlain, appearing for the Chinese Consul, objected to the above statement, but agreed that, death was caused by strangulation. However, he could not accept Dr. Lynch’s supposition that death was brought about by a suicidal impulse. The district coroner. Mr. V. B. AV inter. said that Sue Bing’s death had been the subject of considerable comment and conjecture by the public and newspapers. The Crown had gone to some lengths to throw light on the matter and dispel these rumours. The medical evidence showed that the cause of death could have been self-inflicted, cither accidentally or deliberately by a suicidal impulse. The coroner returned an open verdict, remarking that the cause of -death was strangulati on.