PRETTY DANCER'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18089, 13 May 1922, Page 2 (Supplement)

PRETTY DANCER'S DEATH.

OVERDOSE OF COCAINE.

ADDICTED TO USE OF DRUG.

It is believed that an unintentional overdose, of -cocaine, to the use of which she was addicted, was the cailse of the. tragic death .of Miss Freda Kempton, a young and pretty West End dancing instructress, in the flat whero she lived at \Ycsibourne. Grove. Miss Kempton, who was only 21, was the daughter of a merchants' clerk living at Liverpool Road, Islington. She. \»as a witness six weeks before at the inquiry into the death of her friend, Mrs. Audiy Knowles Harrison, who committed suicide by placing her head in a gas oven ;it, Kensington while her soldier-husband, recently arrived from India, was anxiously searching f6r her in. London. It is understood That the police found some powders in Miss Konipton's room, and have taken possession of a glass. She was not financially or otherwise embarrassed, and there is nothing to suggest suicide.

Sudden Collapse. Her landlady. Mrs. Heohel, in an interview with a Daily Chronicle representative/, said :— •' Freda had been living with us ever since tho death, of her friend, Mis. Harrison, and she was usually a very jolly, bright, and vivacious girl. Tho death of

her friend, however, seemed to upset her a great deal, but wo thought sho *vas getting over that trouble. ' " As tho had been dancing at a club until 4 a.m. on Monday bho did not get up until after 2 p.m., and then seemed quite, all right. " About 8.30 p.m. sho was talking about going out to another danco, but then she aoon alter .began to cry, and was a little hysterical. She asked mo to get her a cup of tea, but before I could make it, she had changed her mind and said, 'Leave me alorio for a few hours. I want to rest. I am feeling ill.'

" When I followed her into her bedroom she said, ' Pleaso leave mo alone.' and then collapsed. I laid her down on the bed, where she seemed to bo in great pain, and in less than half an hour fcho was dead.''