GIRL’S DEATH FROM AN ILLEGAL OPERATION; AN “UNSOLVABLE CRIME”

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 February 1950, Page 5

GIRL’S DEATH FROM AN ILLEGAL OPERATION; AN “UNSOLVABLE CRIME”

CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night (PA). —“This is at the moment an unsolved and possibly an unsolvable crime,” said the coroner (Mr Rex C. Abernethy), at an inquest into the death of Noeline Patricia Brown, aged 19, a waitress, who died on September 17, 1949.

Joan Eveline Toohey, sister of Noeline Brown, said she understood that he sister was pregnant. On September 16 witness spent the night at her sister's flat. Her sister complained of being ill and had a miscarriage. She became worse and seemed seriously ill during the night. Witness tried to get a doctor and finally got Dr. Bellringer about 5.30 a.m. on September 17. Her sister was taken to the Public Hospital, where she later died. From what her' sister told her witness understood her sister had had an illegal operation, but witness was not told where, or by whom. The coroner: You are on your oath, you know, and you swear you do not know the identity of the person who performed the illegal operation on your sister. Is that true? Witness: Yes.

Ronald Trevor Hall, taxi driver, said he knew Noeline Brown and kept company with her. About two months before her death she told him she was pregnant, and he accepted the- responsibility. He suggested that they should go to the North Island and get married when they were both free to do so. Later she said she had decided to have an illegal operation. Witness tried to persuade her not to do so, and spoke of the risks. On September 15 he met her at the tearooms where she worked, and took her to her flat. She said she did not feel well, and would not go to Work the following day. She made no mention of an operation. Hi saw her the following day and there was no mention of an operation.

On September 17 Mrs. Toohey called to tell him her sister was very ill and had been taken to the hospital. He was unable to give any information about the identity of the person who would do the illegal operation. Reminded by the coroner of his oath, witness said he knew nothing of the operation. Dr. R. W. Bellringer said he was called to Noeline Brown on September 17. He described her condition, and said she told him an instrument had been used. He sent her immediately to fire public hospital. He had not attended her before.

Dr. A. B. Parson, pathologist, said he conducted a post mortem examination and in his opinion the cause of death of toxaemia, due to peritonitis, following abortion.

Detective-Sergeant R. S. Smith said that with Detective N. Wylie he began inquiries on September 17. He interviewed all the witnesses and numerous other persons, but could get no evidence which would result in establishing the identity of the person who performed the illegal operation from which Noeline Brown later died. The coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.