DEATH OF A NURSE.
PONSONBY 'DROWNING CASE
POSSIBLE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS.
An inquest concerning the death of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Sperbor, aged 45, formerly a nurse, whose body was found at the bottom of a cliff near high-water mark at Shelly Beach, Ponsonby, on December 11, was held by the coroner, Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., on Saturday.
Dr. D. N. W. Murray deposed that death was due to drowning. In reply to the coroner, who remarked thai it had been suggested that deceased was addicted to drugs, witness said there were punctures on one of her arms. Four hypodermic syringes and needles, also phials and tablets, which had been found at deceased's residence. Shelly Beach Road-, were produced in "Court. Constable Watters gave evidence as to having spoken to deceased before her death, when she appeared to be dazed and under the influence of drugs. The coroner found that death was due to drowning, there being no evidence to show how deceased got into the water. Apparently deceased was addicted to drugs, and she seemed to haye been in the habit of going for walks on the beach, lightly clad, in the early morning. There was no indication of suicide. She was possibly suffering from the effects of drugs when she was drowned.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18888, 22 December 1924, Page 13
Word Count
214DEATH OF A NURSE. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18888, 22 December 1924, Page 13
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