A GIRL’S SUICIDE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3790, 10 May 1928, Page 2

A GIRL’S SUICIDE

A PATHETIC CASE. Invercargill, Last Night. May Belle Soper, aged sixteen, residing with her widowed mother at Woodlands, died of strychnine poisoning, a bottly being found on a table at her b.edside. She left a short note regarding Ihe disposal of her belongings.

At the inquest the mother of deceased, Mrs. J. B. Soper, said that at times she thought her daughter looked worried. She knew about a month ago that her daughter was in trouble and had asked her about it. The girl admitted it hut had never indicated her intention to commit suicide nor had she said who was responsible for her condition. Mrs. R. E. Soper, daughter-in-law of previous witness, said that when she went to call May she found her lying across the lied apparently in great pain. Witness asked what was wrong hut received no answer. "Witness had occasion to leave May and go to the township in the afternoon and did not see her go ‘to the cupboard where the strych- • nine was kept. A pieee'of bread produced was found on the dressing table. It had been buttered and smeared with strychnine. One bite had been taken out of it.

Robert Edward Soper, brother of deceased, gave evidence as to administering an emtie which did not cause sickness. He had been using strychnine for rabbit poisoning and kept it in a cupboard in the kitchen. The bottle produced was nearly full and he could see a good deal had been taken out of it. He identified the handwriting on the note found as deceased’s. The •lute read: — “My hike and other useful things I leave with Edie (an elder sister). Anything else can he divided among the others.” Acting-Coroner James Ward. J.P., returned a -verdict to the effect- that deceased committed suicide by taking strychnine while suffering from severe mental stress.