WOMAN'S DEATH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 10, 30 September 1942, Page 5

WOMAN'S DEATH

AN UNFORTUNATE CASS

ACTION WHILE DEPRESSED

An inquest into the death of Ethel Mary Doncy, married woman of Awakeri, which occurred last Thursday in tragic circumstances was heard before Mr G. A. Brabant, district coroner, when a verdict of suicide whilst in a state of unsound l mind was returned. Evidence by deceased's husband. Wm. Henry Doncy. showed that she had suffered from menial deteroration ever since an operation i'or goitre some four years ago. It had become' necessary to com mil licr. to an institution finally but la;t June she had been permitted to come home on probation. However she liecame depressed an J threatened suicide should she ever be recommitted. So persistent had 11 rr behaviour in this direction been thai witness had deemed it best i'or her to return and had gone into Whakatane to make the necessary arrangements. The deceased had been left with lie" unmarried daughter and young son who would be coming home from school. On witness return his wife was missing but left a note. Witness made a search of the house and grounds but failed to locale her. He then rang the police who when they arrived discovered her in a flying condition under some trees. Sergeant Farrell said that the deceased was found about 100 yards from the house smelling strongly of lysol. She died on the way to the hospital. Dr. Cole staled that death was consistent to poisoning following the taking of lysol. After brief deliberation the coroner found that the cause of death was as above.