AN EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11850, 5 June 1919, Page 5

AN EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE.

OUTCOME OF SPIRITUALISTIC SEANCE.

Per Press Association.

1 Whangarei, June 4. - Sensational evidence was given at a»z inquest to-day concerning the dea.th of Jessie West, aged 32, a housemaid at the Whangarei Hotel, whose .body was found in the upper reaches of Whangarei harbour yesterday evening. Pearl Burke, housemaid at the same hotel, testified that the tragedy was the outcome of spiritualistic meeings held in deceased’s room. After such a meeting held on Tuesday night, at 8 30, witness and deceased walked to the town wharf, wnere the latter, remarking ‘ ‘Freddy is calling me, ’ ’ disrobed herself and put on a nightdress At the deceased's request, witness took the clothes and walked away, though being fully aware of deceased’s intention

A verdict of death due to drowning by the deceased throwing herself into the water was returned, the Coroner remarking that the girl Burke, though apparently simpleminded, was morally responsible for West’s death, if not liable under the Criminal Code