FOUND DEAD

Grey River Argus, 14 December 1937, Page 2

FOUND DEAD

INQUEST ON MRS. GRIFFIN, An inquest was opened at Greymouth yesterday before the Coroner, Mr. Raymond Ferner, S.M., concerning the death of Mrs. Lilias Caldwell Griffin, 58, which occurred near her residence at Blaketown last Wednesday morning. The proceedings were conducted by Sergeant F. R. Ebbett. Dr. H. S. Ray said that, at 7 a.m., he was called to Blake Street, and found Mrs. Griffin lying on the side of the footpath in the entrance to a coal-shed. She had been dead for about an hour. The body was clothed in slippers, nightdress and coat. Later in the day, by direction of the Coroner, witness performed a postmortem examination. There were no external marks of violence. Examination of the heart showed marked disease of the aorta and coronary arteries. There was a complete blockage of the anterior coronary artery about the middle of its course. There were no important abnormalities about the other organs, and death was due to sclerosis of the coronary arteries. Frederick John Fauth, coal-miner, Blake Street, said that he was getting ready to go to work, when Martin McEnaney drew his attention to a person lying on the edge of the footpath in the doorway of a garage. They investigated and found that it was Mrs. Griffin, who was dead. Witness informed her son, James Griffin, with whom she lived. Dr. Ray was then sent for. Witness had known Mrs. Griffin for 20 years, and had seen her practically every day. So far as he knew, she always enjoyed good health. When found, deceased was wearing an overcoat over her nightdress, and was lying on her back, with her head just touching the right hand door of the garage. Both doors were open, and the garage contained a quantity or coal. The garage is owned by Jack Cain, coal-dealer. Witness understood that deceased had recently ordered coal from him, but he had forgotten to deliver it. It looked as though deceased had gone over to the garage for tne purpose of obtaining some coal for the morning fire. The proceedings were then adjourned until this morning, when one aiore witness will be called.