DEATH OF N.Z. GIRL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 106, 17 February 1950, Page 3

DEATH OF N.Z. GIRL

VERDICT AT INQUEST

TOOK OWN LIFE

, (N.Z.P.A.— Copyright) (Rec. 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 16. .

A London jury to-day decided that the 23-year-old New Zealand ,

nurse, Elsie Mavis Thornton, who died on the eve of her wedding, took her own life while the balance of her mind was disturbed.

Miss .Thornton, who was to have married Dr. Andre Janney on February 9, collapsed after a party on February 5 and died in hospital on February S. The New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr W. J. Jordan, sat beside the coroner at the inquest.

1 After the verdict Mr Jordan thanked the court and the jury for “the close examination of this unfortunate happening” on behalf of the New Zealand Government, Mrs Thornton and himself. Maria Bacchi said in evidence that she saw Miss Thornton take'white tablets with a glass of water on the Sunday evening. Miss Thornton refused to say what she had taken, when asked.

Noemi Veglio, who also kept house for Dr. Janney, told the coroner that on the Sunday Miss Thornton and the doctor had been laughing and talking naturally when she saw them. Miss Thorton had told her about changes she intended to make to the drawing room.

Dr. Lionel J. Woods said he was to have acted as locum for Dr. Janney for three or four weeks after the marriage. When he arrived on February 5 he joined in the lodnge. and above the conversation lie heard Miss Thornton say outside: “Don’t talk about the wedding. I shall be far away.” Later he heard Dr. Janney say: “Why do you do this to me.” Dr. Robert D. Teare, pathologist, said that Miss Thornton’s condition was in keeping with barbituric poisoning.' In his opinion more than 50 tablets had been taken.