A GIRL'S DEATH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 20 July 1929, Page 7

A GIRL'S DEATH

CRIMINAL INTERFERENCE . "‘A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE” (By Telegraph—Press Association) NAPIER, This Day. ‘‘lt is a long time since I heard evidence of such absolute callousness and neglect. Perhaps it is because I have • not been told the truth. The 1 whole circumstances are highly suspicious. There is not only a. conspiracy of silence but a conspiracy of lies.” With these remarks the district coroner, Mr Mowlem, S.M., concluded stern criticism of the evidence given at the inquest into the circumstances that led to the death of Eileen Carroll Hepburn in the Napier Hospital on 7th June. A formal verdict was returned that death was due to heart failure following lung and abdominal trouble contributed to by circumstances that pointed to criminal interference. . >

The evidence showed that a party brought the girl to Napier and took her to Nurse Pratt's house, described as a maternity home. Conflicting evidence was given as to who slept with the girl on the night of her arrival— Nurse Pratt, the girl’s aunt, or another woman named Patterson. , Patterson took the girl .to a doctor under the name of Hudson. Two doctors attended her and she was sent to the Hospital after giving birth to a seven-months child. At the Hospital she gave the name of Hudson, and it was not until two days before her death that her true identity was revealed by the aunt. Even when told she was dying the girl refused to reveal anything, except to say that a man was responsible for tier condition. Three electors said in evidence that there was no doubt there had been criminal interference.