UNITED IN DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9034, 21 April 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

UNITED IN DEATH.

HUSBAND AND WIFE COMMIT SUICIDE.

Mr. John , Troltbeck held an inquiry at the St. Martin's Vestry Hall, on March 7, concerning the death of Joseph Alfred Profaze, aged 38 years, a jeweller, lately residing at 74, Waterford Road, Fulham, who was found drowned in the Thames, near Cleopatra's Needle, on March G. tl transpired that Mrs. Profaze, after being informed of her husband's death, purchased 6d worth of laudanum, and was on Saturday morning found dead in bed with the empty bottlo by her side. Rachel Be van, of 74, Waterford, Fulham, stated that the deceased had lodged in her liouso about seven months. He was formerly in busias a jeweller in New Bond-street, but of late had been in very poor circumstances. He and his wife were often in want of a meal, and witness gave them what food and firing she could afford. She never .spoke to Mr. Profaze, because he was such a gentleman. He had several times told his wife he should not return. On the previous Monday he went out, and that was the last time he was seen alive. Charles Cuff, coroner's officer, deposed that on Friday last he went to Fulham, and saw Mrs. Profaze, who informed him that a man to whom she had soldsonie pawnbrokers'duplicates, so as to buy her husband a coat, had not returned with the money, and she and the deceased had a few words about it. But for that fact, she said, he might have been alive now. He had made every effort to get a situation. Mrs. Profaze handed witness a piece of paper, bearing the following words in Mr. Profaze's handwriting: — "Dear Louie, — Farewell for ever in this world. May you prosper better in future than you have done in the past, is the present hope of Joe." Constable Stubbs, Thames police, who found the body lying in the mud under the Embankment ab 10 o'clook on Tuesday morning, said that ib was very thinly clad, the poor man having no coat and waistcoat on, his principal garment being a mackintosh. The body was much emaciated, and had not been long in the water. Dr. G. Hamerton, of 3, Southampton - sbreeb, Sbrand, deposed that deaUi was due to drowning. An open verdict was recorded. An inquest was held at tho Lord Palmerston Tavern, Fulham, on Wednesday, c bhe body of the woman, when » verdict " Suicide while in & eUte of unsound mind ,, was returned.