PATIENT’S SUICIDE.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20266, 7 August 1937, Page 6

PATIENT’S SUICIDE.

INTENTIONS MENTIONED. VERDICT AT THE INQUEST. A verdlot of death by sulcldd by means of strangulation while In a state * of mental depression was returned by the ooroner, Mr F. W. Platts, at the Inquest to-day into the death of Mr John Villls Larsen, who dlsappeare’d from the Waikato Hospital on Thursday evening and who was found dead on a farm at Peaoooke’s Road last evening. Thomas Moore Campbell, an engineer of Frankton, brother-in-law of the? deceased, gave evidence of Identification and said that Larsen had been In 111-health for several years. Witness had often heard deceased speak of j taking his own life. When hd last saw him alive on August 4 he was In good spirits. Reginald Arthur Nunn, a farm hand of Peacocke’s Road, said he discovered the body. A cord, apparently from tho pyjamas he was wearing, was pulled tightly around his throat, pressure having been obtained by a stick Inserted In a loop. Witness's mother Informed the police and she directed the police party to thd scene. Dr. M. M. Hockln, medical superintendent of the Waikato Hospital, said that Larsen was admitted to the Waikato Hospital on October 2 1986. Ho was suffering from cerebral anaemia and he? often had periods of depression but the doctor never considered that deceased was suicidal. Witness had often conversed with deceased regarding his health and on one occasion only had deceased made any remark about self-dtfstructlon and that was that If ever he were discharged from hospital he would make for the river. The doctor had encouraged deceased to take frequent walks. On Thursday witness was informed about 3 p.m., that Larsen was missing. A search was organised and witness together with two police' constables searched the grounds, the roads in the vicinity and along Peacocke’s Road. • Dr. L. F. Johnson, of the medical staff of the hospital, said he examined the body and found that death was caused by strangling. De'ceased, who was single, was a returned soldier and left no estate.