WOOLPIT- Suicide of an Aged Woman.- Yesterday (Monday) an inquest was held at Woolpit. before G. A. Partridge Esq., Coroner, on the body of Mary Ann Alexander a widow, aged 72 years. It seems that deceased lived with a crippled son, who had been bedridden since November last, and for some time past the poor woman has suffered from depression of spirits. At about half- past six on Saturday morning the son (who saw his mother go up to bed between eight and nine on the previous night) called for her several times, but received no answer. About a quarter before eight a little girl named Clarke heard him calling, and fetched her mother, who, finding that the lid of the well was open, looked down it, and then saw deceased in the water. On the body being got out Mr. Leech, surgeon, was sent for, but he was of opinion that deceased had been in the well from four to six hours. Mr. Leech also said that he thought her son's state had preyed on her mind a good deal, and it was stated by the son that his mother had threatened to make away with herself.— The Jury found a verdict " That deceased drowned herself while in a state of temporary insanity."
Bury and Norwich Post - Tuesday 25 April 1876
Diddy
