TRAGEDY AT ADDINGTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16323, 12 January 1921, Page 7

TRAGEDY AT ADDINGTON.

MARRIED ATOM AN’S DEATH. A verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane was returned by the District Coroner, Mr S. FI. McCarthy, S.M., at an inquest this morning relative to ihe death of Louisa Emmie Bannorman, u married woman, who resided at 63. Poulson Street, Addington. The deceased about twelve ‘years ago was an inmate of the Seaeliff Mental Hospital for a short period, and about May, 1920, she was committed to Sunny - side Mental Hospital. She was released on probation on December 23. Since her release she had apparently been in improved health and had given no indication of her intention to commit suicide. She- left a note to the effect that she had made a mess of her life and intended to commit suicide. James Bnnnerman, husband of the deceased, stated that when he left home for li!s work yesterday morning his wife appeared. to bo quite normal. "When no returned home just before 5 p.m. he found her lying on tho floor with :t wound in her throat. "When deceased was committed to tho Sea cl ill Mental Hospital it was more for a serious nervous breakdown than for loss of reason. Evidence was given by Alfred Bannorman, a son of tlio deceased, to the effect that at 1 p.m. yesterday deceased appeared to be quite normal. Dr A. Crdsbie, medical superintendent of the Surmyside Mental Hospital, stated that deceased had been suffering from manic depressive insanity—depression following on excitement. She improved under treatment and was eventually allowed to spend each Sunday at her home. She was released at her husband’s request, on December 23. Deceased had shown no suicidal tenI dency, apart from an occasional refusal to take her food. This was looked upon as a general indication of a suicidal tendency, inasmuch os it was. a perversion of natural instincts. On her release witness asked her husband to report oil her condition at the end ol eight days, but he liad not done- so. The Coroner returned a. verdict that death was due to a wound inflicted by deceased while in a state of unsound mind.