WOMAN’S DEATH

Southland Times, Issue 22488, 24 January 1935, Page 6

WOMAN’S DEATH

FATAL BURNS. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, January 23. The inquest was concluded before Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., Coroner, concerning the death in the Auckland Hospital on the evening of January 18 of Mrs Mary Josephine Campbell, aged 60. The deceased was admitted to the hospital on the morning of January 18, suffering from burns she received when she set alight to her clothing. Evidence was given that the deceased, who lived at Pukekohe West, had been suffering from a nervous breakdown for about a year. She was admitted to a nursing home last Easter and seemed to have responded to treatment. She was in good spirits immediately prior to her being found with her night clothing alight. The deceased had said she had found some matches, and asked why she set her clothing alight she said she wanted to “It seems certain that this poor lady, who had been in bad health, conceived the idea of ending her life,” said the Coroner, in returning a verdict that the deceased committed suicide by setting alight to her clothing while in a state of mental depression. The Coroner added that it was difficult to find a suitable home for a person suffering as the deceased had suffered. She had not, however, given warning of suicide.