An inquiry into the cause of death of Emma Roper, wife of Mr George De Carteret, of Fairfield, St Martins, who was found dead in a shed near her house on Sunday, 10th inst.
Mr T Langlois, Constable of St Martin’s, said he was called at about 12.15 on Sunday morning and went to Mr G De Carteret’s house where he saw the body of Mrs De Carteret in a shed. It appeared that deceased had passed a rope attached to a mail fixed to a rafter in the ceiling twice around her neck and had kicked away a small pair of steps, which must have helped her to reach the rope, and which were nearby, the rope had been cut and the body was getting cold.
Mr George De Carteret, deceased’s husband, said that his wife had suffered from melancholia for some time and, on his doctor’s advice, he had sent her to England. She came back on Friday last and seemed much better. On Friday she attended to her household duties and he left her, apparently well, on Saturday morning. On coming home on Saturday at about 11 p m, witness had his supper, and not finding his wife in her room he went to look for her and found her in a shed a joining the house. A pair of steps was near her where she was hanging from the ceiling with a rope around her neck. Witness cut the rope and called for help. Life was extinct. Deceased was 50 years of age.
Mr George Heaume, a neighbour, was called by Mr De Carteret, and on entering the shed found Mrs De Carteret lying on the floor; life was extinct.
Miss Jane King, who has for some time resided with the De Carteret family, said that deceased had lately returned from England where her husband had sent her on account of her melancholic state. She appeared well and attended her household duties on Friday. Deceased went to bed on Saturday at 9.15 p m, saying she felt tired, but seemed cheerful. Witness was not at all anxious. Although her bedroom is next to deceased’s bedroom, she heard no noise. Witness was called by deceased’s husband.
Frances level, domestic servant, corroborated the previous evidence.
Mr A I Le Patourel was called at about midnight on Saturday by Mr De Carteret. He also corroborated that gentleman’s evidence.
Dr Conrad Carey deposed he had been called to Fairfield house on Saturday night. He saw deceased’s body which was getting cold, although death had not long occurred. Witness had attended deceased last august. She suffered from melancholia and he advised her husband to send her for a time to England. Deceased came back on Friday last and seemed to have greatly benefitted by the change. Witness said that cases of melancholia may have a fatal issue which cannot be foreseen.
The Court returned a verdict of suicide committed in a moment of temporary insanity, and expressed their deep sence of sympathy with the De Carteret family.