AUCKLAND COUPLE’S SUICIDE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1933, Page 5

AUCKLAND COUPLE’S SUICIDE

HUSBAND’S INCURABLE DISEASE.

CORONER’S FINDING AT INQUEST.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Auckland, Dec. 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 at Remuera, was opened this morning. Evidence was given by a maid that she found the kitchen door locked and smelled gas. She had seen her employers about 11.15 on Saturday night in the kitchen, when they appeared quite cheerful. Other evidence showed that a note addressed in Mrs. Brander’s hand-writing to the maid was left on the telephone. She also left a note for a married sister indicating her intention of suicide. In the kitchen Brander was found lying on the floor close to the gas stove with his head on his wife’s knees. She was lying with her head on a cushion. A doctor said that he had been attending Brander, who was suffering from an incurable disease. His days were numbered. Mrs. Brander knew the seriousness of her husband’s "illness and had been very depressed. The coroner returned a verdict of suicide by gas poisoning.