DEATH OF MISS WEIR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19349, 9 December 1924, Page 4

DEATH OF MISS WEIR.

DUE TO RESPIRATORY PARALYSIS. SEQUEL TO EPILEPTIC SEIZURE. The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Miss Christina Weir, a school teacher, aged 40 years, who was found dead in her bedroom at the residence of her father in Mornington on November 23, was concluded yesterday morning. Sergeant M‘Carthy represented the police. Sergeant M‘Carthy stated that ho had made inquiries as a result of statements that the deceased had suffered from epilepsy He had interviewed Dr Batchelor, and had ascertained that ho had treated the deceased for epilepsy in 1919. Letters which had been received showed that the seizures occurred mostlv at night and that the deceased endeavoured to keep information as to her state of health as much as possible. Dr Lynch (clinical pathologist at the Otago University and also public analyst) stated that he had made an examination of the stomach of the deceased and the vessels found near the deceased. He had come to the conclusion that the deceased had died during an epileptic seizure. In his opinion death was clue to respiratory failure during the seizure. There was no suspicion that the deceased had taken anything with the object of ending her life. The Coroner (Mr J. R. Bartholomew S.M.) stated that the additional evidence, completely cleared up the circumstances surrounding the death of Miss Weir. It had been shown that the deceased had suffered from epilepsy for years. Her father was unaware of that, and out of consideration for him she concealed the knowledge of her malady. Complete investigation showed that death was due to respiratory paralysis during an epileptic seizure, and a verdict would be returned accordingly.