On This Day, 11 July 1917

Birmingham Mail

Wednesday 11 July 1917

BIRMINGHAM WOMAN’S SUICIDE

The circumstances surrounding the death of Lavinia Dunham (36), 111, Runcorn Road were investigated by Mr. A. H. Hebbert (Deputy Coroner), at the Victoria Courts today.

According to the evidence she was naturally of a worrying disposition, and made a lot of trouble about the housework, which was not heavy. The husband left home about six o’clock on Monday morning, leaving his wife in bed, and on returning about five o’clock in the evening found her in bed, with a wound in the throat and a razor lying on the landing outside the room. A letter found addressed to him ran: “I am not worthy of you. You have been too good to me.” She was removed to the General Hospital, but died on the way to the institution.

A verdict of “Suicide while temporarily insane” was returned.