Young Woman's Sudden Death

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 55, 7 March 1935, Page 10

Young Woman's Sudden Death

CORONIAL INQUIRY. On Tuesday afternoon the Foxton police were notified that a young married womau, Mona Eileen Cooksley, aged 26 years, living apart from her husband, had -been found dead in bed at the residence of Mr. Charles Aldridge, of Avenue road. Deceased was not known to have been suffering from any illness and, not having been attended by a doctor the Coroner ordered a post-mortem examination of the body. Before Mr. A. Fraser (District Coroner) an inquest was held at tho Foxton Courthouse yesterday when evidence of identification was given by Arthur James Cooksley, labourer, of Taihape, who stated that deceased was his wife, they having been married at Marion in 1927. The couple had separated by mutual consent in February, 1934, since which time they had lived apart. There were two sous of tho marriage and as far as witness knew his wife had generally enjoyed good health. Elizabeth Aldridge, living with her husband and family, stated that deceased had resided with them since February, 1934, during which time she had enjoyed good health. On Monday last deceased complained of having a headache but did not go to bed. Next morning sho got up as usual and attended to her customary duties. About 10 a.m., however, sho again complained ef a headache and went to bed. About an hour later her son Charles went into the bedroom with deceased’s little baby and returned immediately saying that tho child’s mother was dead. Witness was very much surprised to hear this as thero did not seem to be anything serious tho matter with her.

Charles Henry Aldridge, aged 34, gave corroborative evidence. Witness had known deceased for about six years and although she enjoyed good health ho considered that sho was not strong, but rather inclined to bo delicate.

Eric Melvyn Wyllie, medical practitioner, of Foxton, gave evidence in regard to tho post-mortem. Ho stated that there were no marks of violence on the body, but both lungs were somewhat congested with pneumonia. The heart muselo was weaker than normal, but there was no evidence of irritant imisons in the stomach. In his opinion deceased had been ill for at least several days with a severe form of a general disease similar to influenza ’which is at present prevalent in Foxton. The doctor added that in a previously healthy, person the stage reached by this disease should not have caused death, but in a case of previous debility, such as the body of deceased suggested, and in tho presence of a poor heart muscle such as was present, absolute rest in bed and careful attention would be essential and a slight exertion, even that of getting in or out of bed, would bo quito likely to cause sudden collapse and death. Constable E. Owen, who watched the ease on behalf of tho police, stated that although he had made a thorough search of the dwelling in which deceased had been living, he failed to find trace of poisons of any description.

The Coroner returned a verdict tliat deceased died from collapsoTind heart failure, in accordance with the medical .testimony.