HOTEL EMPLOYEE DIES SUDDENLY IN HIS HUT

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 286, 1 August 1957, Page 1

HOTEL EMPLOYEE DIES

SUDDENLY IN HIS HUT

In terms of a pathologist's opinion the Coroner, Mr J. D. Swan, found that Leslie Joseph Tracey, helieved to be 43 years of age, wlio was found dead in bed at the Terraces Hotel on June 24, died from gross fatty degeneration of the liver, secondary to chronic alcoholism. The inquest was held at Taupo last Friday afternoon.

Sergeant X. C. AVaters said that at 10 o'clock 011 the morning of June 24, he went to the hotel, and was shown 1 a but in which he saw Tracey 's body \ fully elotbed, lying on a bed, Iiigor mortis liad set in, and there were 1 marked signs of lividity over most of the body. There were no signs of violence, Ke j said. SLEPT FULLY CLOTHED Inquiries sliowed that the previous day Tracey went fishing with some other men 011 Lake Taupo, but was unwel! during the trip. Whilf out on j the lake ,and unknown to other mem- | bers of the party, deceased had con- ; sumed a flask of whisky and became ! intoxicated. The party went asliore at 6.30 p.m., and Tracey was put to bed in his hut at the hotel, Sergeant Waters said. It was quite customary for Tracey to

sleep fully clothed. Deceased was heard to switch 011 his liglit at 8.30 p.m. 011 June 23, to leave the hut, and to return shortly afterward. Nothing more was lieard of him, and at 9.30 a.m. the following day he was found dead in bed. "The deceased was a known aleoholic," witness continued. "From my inquiries I am satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding iiis death, which the post-mortem confirmed ..." lATHOLOOIST'S REPORT Dr W. A. Russell, pathologist, of Hamilton, who exaniined the body, and conducted a post-mortem examination, said there was 110 abnorinality of -the heart. Tiro kidneys were (-ongested. but otherwise normal, but the liver was greatly enlarged, very fatty in appearance, and slightly congested. In his opinion death was due to gross fatty degeneration of the liver, secondary to chronic alcoholism. Martin Fox, a member of the fishing -party, said he (liscovered Tracey dead in bed, and be immediately tohi Ihe proprietor. Phil Ashley Klatt, licensee of the Terraces Hotel, said he had known Tracey for the past three years; tliat deceased had been employed at the liotel for the past six years. AYhen Fox told him Tracey was dead in bed, be visited the hut, then summohed tlie J police. He did not touch the body. ■ As far as the police may discoveiy Tracey did not have any relatives in Xew Zealand.