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VERDICT OF SUICIDE.

INQUEST ON R. E. COWPER. A verdict of suicide was returned at the inquest held yesterday afternoon before Mr 11. A. Young, Coroner, into the circumstances of the death of Rowland Edward Cowpcr, who was found dead at his home-on November 30th. Mr A. C. Brassington stated that he had acted for the deceased in a recent divorce action and was in charge of his affairs.

Thomas Leslie Crooke, medical practitioner, said that he was called by the police at 7 p.m., to 118 Southampton street, and found there the body of Cowper. He was lying in bed partially undressed, and life was extinct. The room smelt very strongly of coal gas. The conditions- were consistent with coal-gas poisoning. There were no marks on the body, nor were there any symptoms of poisoning. He had beeu dead some three or four hours.

James Prattley, labourer, residing at Sprcydon, identified tho body as that of Cowpcr. Cowper was a labourer and witness had worked with him for the City Council. Cowper had not been at work since last Saturday, and said he was a little unwell when witness saw him on the Tuesday at his home. Witness went to the house again at 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Ho received no response to a knock at the door, and on investigating saw the deceased lying in bed as described. Witness did not go inside but notified the police.

Letters wero read which the deceased had written to his sou, stating he was not mad but was "full up of lifo," and to his former wife. An unsigned will was also identified by Prattley as being in deceased's hand-writing. Constable Leith gavo evidence as to tho finding of the body. Tho gas in the room was turned on, and thoro was a smell of gas all through tho house. Witness found an empty brandy flask, which the doctor said had not been used for a considerable time. The deceased had lived there alone. He had divorced his wife on the grounds of desertion.

The Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased committed suicide by inhaling coal gas.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19271202.2.16.5

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19173, 2 December 1927, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
357

VERDICT OF SUICIDE. Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19173, 2 December 1927, Page 5

VERDICT OF SUICIDE. Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19173, 2 December 1927, Page 5

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