A SAD TRAGEDY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9644, 20 January 1903, Page 3

A SAD TRAGEDY.

♦ DEMENTED MOTHER'S DREADFUL ACT. 1 (Per Press Association.) J DUNEDIN, last night, j Information has been received that a married wonum named Elizabeth Ellen Mayhead drowned her baby boy m a bath, and committed suicide herself by lying on top of the child m the hath. The affair occurred m the North East Valley. Particulars so far are' meagre. Later. — Particulars concerning the tragedy at North East Valley showed that Mrs Hayhead wa.s 36 years of age". She is the wife of a carpenter who was formerly a contractor ; a superior woman, well-spoken of by her neighbors, and on the best of terms with her husband. A Church of England clergyman had visited the house, and shortly, afterwards she told her little girl to go out and play with the baby while she did some work. Some time later the girl returned, but could not find her mother. She noticed the bathroom door locked. The girl went to a neighbor, and asked for her mother. On mentioning about the bathroom door being locked neighbors went to the house. The door was forced open, and the. woman and her little, boy, five years old, were found dead m the bath. Medical aid wa.s at once sent for. but without avail. It is understood that since the hist: child was born the unfortunate woman has suffered from delusions and insomnia, and was being medically attended. It is supposed that insomnia led to her mind becoming unhinged. The husband, who works m a sawmill, was a little late m getting home; otherwise he might have arrived m lime to prevent the tragedy.