A SHOCKING DEATH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18515, 28 March 1922, Page 3

A SHOCKING DEATH

Mr H. A . Bundle, S.M.. held an inquiry at the Morgue yesterday into tie death of John Bell, a second-hand furniture dealer, aced 62. tv ho was found dead in his shop, 179 King Edward street, on Sunday night with half his head blown away and a gun in his hands. Clementine Bell, wife of deceased, said her husband had not been.in good health since Christmas, and suffered from pain at times. He had been attended by a doctor for bladder trouble, which interfered with his sleep. Deceased complained at dinner-time on Sunday that he could not eat. hut later he said he felt hotter. He went out for a walk as usual about seven o'clock, but did not return at the usual time. About 10.30 witness became anxious and went round to the shop with her two daughters, havitur got a constable to accompany them. Witness identified a doublebarrelled shotgun, which was produced by the police, as one whieh had been in the shop for sale, but said she had not seen cartridges similar to the one which was found in the gun. Dr Evans said the body was well nourished. Tito whole of the left side of the skull was blown away. Deceased had evi dertlv placed the gun into the left eye. which was also carried away. Witness made iimuiries from his medical attendant, who said he had advised an operation which, in his opinion, would have been successful. The cause of death was fracture of the vault of the skull and laceration of the brain. In witness's opinion, these injuries were self-inflicted. Constable fborv said deceased was sitting on a chair, and had the gun in his loft hand with the stock resting on a, sewing machine. He had the mop-stick (produced) in his right, hand, and the nail which waa driven into the end of it was resting on the trigger. The right barrel was empty, and the empty cartridge (produced) was in the other. Witness read a note, found in the dead man's pocket, in which he said goodbye to his people. “The pain is too much,” lie wrote. T 'and I cannot sleep. The Lord forgive me.” The Coroner found that deceased committed suicide by shooting himself with a gun, while in a state of mental depression owing to his physical trouble.