BROTHERS’ TRAGIC END.

Grey River Argus, 13 December 1928, Page 6

BROTHERS’ TRAGIC END.

result of acute mental depression. HAMILTON, December 12. An inquest on the brothers, Stanley Owen Chapman, and Bruce Trevor Chapman, victims of the tragedy of December 2, was held at Putaruru toDr S. L. Haslett stated that the fumes from rabbit poison, which Stanley had been using, might have had a depressing effect on the mind. Eileen Chapman, a sister, said that about a year ago Stanley had a nervous breakdown, and went away for two months, and recovered his mental condition. On the night o f the tragedy lie was normal. Stanley had been burning a funilcant fo_- rabbits, and ceased because the fumes affected his head. Witness testified to being wakcucd in the night and finding both her brothers shot. Thomas Chapman, the father, said ,hat Stanley suffered from insomnia ■tnd nervousness. He thought this and the. fumes brought on a sudden mental aberration. A verdict was returned that Stanfov Chapman met his death by a ballet rr -rd s--1:-infli -ted, while in a state >f acvte mental depression, caused by overwork, and intensified by the inJ ion of fumes from carbon-bissul oi’io- nnprope ’y ued in poisoninn abbits. and that Bruce Chapman met l.is d'-ath by a gunshot wound, appa' eerily inflicted by Stanley, whilst the latter wa:- 1 in a state of acute mental depression.