SENSATIONAL SUICIDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3618, 17 July 1923, Page 17

SENSATIONAL SUICIDE.

AGONY OF A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT. LONDON, July 10. Mr A. P. Bowes-Lyon, a well-known city stockbroker, a nephew of the Earl of Strathmore, was found shot dead in his motor car near Woking. There was a shotgun at his feet. When leaving his father’s house for a drive he said that he was not feeling well. July 11. Mr A. P. Bowes-Lyon (a nephew of the Earl of Strathmore, who was found dead in his motor car) was 24 years of age. He left letters revealing an unfortunate entanglement with a young woman. It is expected that the evidence at the inquest will be of a startling character. He left the dinner table in evening dress, apparently intending to make a last call on the lady. The family had noticed his extreme depression, and were in a state of anxiety, but they were unable to do anything to avert the anticipated disaster. At the inquest the verdict was suicide while of unsound mind. A friend gave evidence that the deceased telephoned to him on Monday evening from an hotel, and said lie was going to kill himself. Witness therefore went to the hotel and rushed into Mr BowesLyon. The deceased was recently engaged to the daughter of the late General Sir Charles Parsons, but last Friday Lady Parsons told him that the engagement would be broken off. In a letter in the coroner’s possession Miss Parsons wrote that she did not love him.

In his evidence the deceased’s father declared: —“My boy’s heart was broken. That was the end.” He said that the deceased was his only remaining son, the others having been killed during the war. When Miss Parsons broke off the engagement deceased was in despair. Witness made a final effort to see her on Monday, but without result.

The Coroner, in recording his verdict added that the agonv of a broken engage she has not ceased to spare Germany.”