DEATH OF COUPLE

Southland Times, Issue 22201, 19 December 1933, Page 6

DEATH OF COUPLE

GAS-FILLED ROOM

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST VERDICT OF SUICIDE (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, December 18. An inquest into the deaths of William Brander, aged 61, and his wife, Ruth Mary Scott Brander, aged 42, who were found dead yesterday in the gas-filled kitchen of their home in Remuera, was opened this morning. Evidence was given by the maid that she found the kitchen door locked and smelled gas. She had seen them about 11.15 on Saturday night in the kitchen. They appeared quite cheerful. Other evidence showed that the note addressed to the maid was left on the telephone in Mrs Brander’s handwriting. She had also left a note for her married sister, indicating an intention to suicide. In the kitchen Mr Brander was found lying on the floor close to the gas stove, with his head on his wife’s knees, while she was lying with her head on a cushion.

A doctor said he had been attending Brander, who was suffering from an incurable disease. His days were numbered. The wife knew the seriousness of her husband’s illness and had been very depressed. The Coroner returned a verdict of suicide by gas-poisoning.