YOUTH FOUND SHOT DEAD

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1931, Page 5

YOUTH FOUND SHOT DEAD

NO KNOWN REASON FOR SUICIDE

LEFT HIS HOME TEN MONTHS AGO

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night.

An inquest into the death of Keith Cookson, aged 19, who was found in his bed in a city boardinghouse shot through the heart and with a pea-rifle beside him, was opened to-day. The principal witness was unable to advance any reason why the youth should take his own life and the inquest was adjourned. Horace William Cookson, carpenter and builder, said he motored to Auckland as soon as he received news of his son’s death yesterday. He last saw his son ten months ago when he left home without saying where he was going. Witness had up to that time been employing his son, who was a carpenter. He understood his son was leaving to try to better-’hiinself. , month after leaving home he telegraphed his aunt, witness’ sister, who resided in Christchurch and asked her for some ’money. This was sent to him. The address he. gave was at Rotorua, but when witness wrote to him he did not receive any reply. His letters were not returned to him. ’Since the youth had left home witness had seen no more of him. He was a good clean-living boy, rather quiet and studious. While at home he was taking a course in architecture. Witness was unable to suggest any reason why his son should take his life.