AN AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2764, 29 July 1924, Page 3

AN AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

MOTHER MURDERS HER SON.

THEN COMAIJTS SUICIDE, Auckland, Yesterday. A shocking tragedy occurred at Alt. Albert on Sunday when Helena Harriot D’Atli murdered her nine-year-old son, Harold, hut cutting his throat with a razor. The demented mother then committed suicide by cutting her own throat. Mrs D’Afli was the wife of a retired farmer in comfortable circumstances. She had been indisposed for two years and during the past six weeks had suffered acutely from a nervous.breakdown. She suffered from delusions. Deceased took her little son into the bathroom and there cut both his and her own throats. A trained nurse who was attending her tried to enter the room, but failed. She gained entrance by the window and found tlie mother in a dying condition. Tile little boy had sufficient strength to get out. of the bathroom and died in his father’s arms.

INQUEST ON MOTHER AND SON

Auckland, Last Night

At the inquest on the D'Aths, mo liter and son, Dr. Richards deposed that he attended Mrs D’Ath since June 7. She lmd not fully recovered from diphtheria and he attributed her condition to general debility and was not satisfied with her mental condition, although lie did not think there was any cause for anxiety. When suffering from delusions, Mrs D’Ath complained that someone had administered strychnine in small doses and on his advice a nurse was engaged. He instructed the nurse in : ire l rent meni of the patient and mentioned that she was suffering from nervous trouble.

To the Coroner, witness said he did no! think there was any danger iiml did not iliink her condition war'rated her committal to a mental institution. D. ceased had attempted suicide on June 21 by cutting her wrist with a razor. Florence Elizabeth Wallace, a registered nurse, stated that she was engaged by Mr 1 D’Atli three weeks ago. .She received instructions from the doctor but was not, fold deceased was mentally afflicted or bad attempioil suicide. Neither the doctor nor Mr D’Ath asked her to keep deceased under continual observation. Witness read a. letter by deceased in which she said: “I cannot let my near Harold suffer'. I wish I could take them all with me.” The verdict was that deceased committed suicide while insane and while in this condition had killed her son Harold. ■ »