MYSTERY DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23073, 25 June 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)

MYSTERY DEATH

RESULT OF POISONING DISCOVERY ON DOWNS VICTIM'S WISH TO BE A NUN connected with the death of a woman who was found suffei'ing from poisoning on the Wiltshire Downs were left unexplained at the inquest held at Warminster. The woman was Miss Muriel Joy Skyrme, aged 32, shorthand typist of Bushey, Hertfordshire, on whom a verdict was recorded that death was due to disinfectant poisoning, but there was insufficient evidence to show how the poison was administered. Wearing a green dress, green coat, hat and gloves, Miss Skyrme was found in a leaf-filled hollow by a schoolmaster's son at Warminster. Beside her was an empty bottle. She died in hospital without regaining consciousness. Note to Mother The coroner mentioned that Miss Skyrme left an unsigned note in her home in the following terms: — Dear Mother, —.Thank you for all yon have done, and all the others. I am going to be a nun, and God has shown me the way. John Kenneth Brown Skyrme, of Oxhey, a brother, gave evidence that a few days before the tragic discovery the sleeve of his sister's dressing-gown caught fire while she was boiling water. She had the preeence of mind-to put it under a tap, but she burned her left arm, and this was dressed by her sister. She went out later, ostensibly to see the doctor and have the burn dressed, but she was not seen again. She had never been to the Warminster district previously, so far as he knew, and had no friends there. Coroner: Was she a religious girl?— No. She occasionally went to church, but she had no church activities. Valuables Missing Mr. Skyrme added that when his sister -left home she had a handbag containing about £2 5s and a gold wristlet watch. He could not account for her death, but thought she might be suffering from shock as a result of her burns. Police Constable Reed stated the police had searched the Downs in vain for the handbag and watch which were missing. The coroner said it might be that the woman had thrown away her bag and watch in order to prevent herself being recognised. There was no evidence on which to decide whether she committed suicide or what was the state of her mind. "The better course," he added, "would be to bring in an open verdict and leave the matter there for other people to find out, if they can, the previous history."