DEATH OF A COUNTESS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 245, 28 July 1937, Page 5

DEATH OF A COUNTESS

SUICIDE WHILE DEMENTED.

A DETERMINED ACTION.

United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, July 27.'

The coroner returned a verdict that the Countess of Cardigan committed suicide while of unsound mind.

The Countess’ husband, in evidence, stated that the Conntess had not quarrelled with him, but had left home at Oxford on Thursday without stating her destination. A letter from her alarmed him, and he instructed the police to find her. Her mother committed suicide and the Countess talked of ending her life similarly. Police evidence showed that the C-Quntess engaged a suite in the Savoy Hotel on Thursday. She locked the doors. She ate nothing, but Tepeatecily asked for drink. The management, becoming alarmed, sent up a doctor on Friday night. The Countess refused him admission. The police found, after the tragedy, pillows spattered with blood and the windowsill was marked with blood. A brandy bottle and several glasses were smashed to fragments, and a. safety-razor-blade and two notes were on the dressing-table. Dr. Moreton declared that the Countess’ wrists had been slashed and a piece of glass was found in the stomach.

The coroner returned a verdict that the Countess was quite demented. She smashed things, cut he.v arm with - a blade and swallowed glass. The letter to her husband refers to her affection for him and the children, but shows that she was demented and intended to take her life in circumstances preventing anyone frustrating her.

■ A 'London cablegram published on Monday stated: The Countess of Cardigan, who recently returned from South Africa, was killed through falling from a seventh-floor window of the Savoy Hotel, where she was staying alone. The Countess was in evening dress. She fell near three children who were playing, in the street.