SUICIDE OF SINGLE WOMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16624, 22 August 1917, Page 6

SUICIDE OF SINGLE WOMAN.

DISAPPOINTMENT IN LOVE.

An inquest was held by Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., yesterday, concerning the death of May Mary Victoria Bell, a single woman, aged 31, who died, under circumstances suggesting suicide, at her brother's house, Melford Street, Ponsonby, on Sunday night. Rebecca S. Bell, deceased's sister-in-law, said deceased had been staying with her for some time. She suffered from neuritis and worried a good deal over a disappointment in love, and spoke of a forthcoming breach of promise case, in which she was plaintiff. She spoke of committing suicide, but in a casual, indirect manner. Four months ago she told witness she had been on the point of drowning herself, but had decided not to do so. On Sunday evening deceased asked witness to read an old letter and to see her later. When witness went into the sitting-room a few moments later, deceased was lying unconscious on the sot with a bottle in her lap. Dr. W. S. Brockway said the deceased died shortly after his arrival. Death was due to poisoning. Mrs. C. A Williams said that she found pinned on deceased's clothing the following note :—" August 2, 1917 I feel as though I will go mad, so will pin this to me in case I do. I can't 'sleep • it is awful delights in trifling with girls affections and then turning them down. He is a bad man. I 4nt to keep my head for my people's sake. 1 hey are so good to me, and I love them so. God help me. and forgive me if Ida anything terrible— Bell." Witness said the man referred to in the letter was the defendant in the forthcoming breach of promise, case A verdict was returned that deceased committed suicide by taking poison while in a condition of extreme depression