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Mystery Death

Contributed by Hazel Tachtatzis

(Newspaper cutting from the local Croydon newspaper of January 1927)

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Coroner's Officer's Report


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newspaper cutting



death certificate


MYSTERY DEATH

A RESTLESS NIGHT

A DEVOTED FATHER

Railway Official's Sudden Passing

Strange South Norwood Inquest Story

The mystery of a South Norwood railway official's death was only intensified at the inquest at Croydon on Saturday, and after hearing part of the evidence, the Deputy Coroner (Dr. W.V. Braddon) adjourned the inquiry for the attendance of a pathologist.

The deceased, Mr. Joseph Cornelius Sear, aged 54, and residing at 28, St. Mary's-road, South Norwood, held an important position in the offices of the Southern Railway at Waterloo Station. He died on January 2nd under mysterious circumstances following a visit to some friends in Elmer's End.

The inquest was opened at the Queen's-road Homes, Croydon, on Saturday afternoon. The widow, Mrs. Ethel Hazel Sear, said her husband had been in the service of the railway company for thirty years. He resided with her and their three children and was of a happy and cheerful disposition. Until a week ago her widowed mother had lived with them, but she had then passed away. He had not been unduly worried over this, though he had felt the loss. He had enjoyed good health, but had what witness had been let to understand was a nervous heart. In October last deceased had had an attack of bronchitis and was in bed three weeks but had got better and had not been attended by a doctor since. He had, however, been doctoring himself with cough lozenges etc. Deceased last went to his office on Saturday, January 1st. That afternoon he complained of earache, a thing witness had never know him to have before. Witness put laudanum and sweet oil into the ear, and that night he took part in a game of cards but still suffered from earache, and said his head pained him.

That night deceased spent a very restless night and witness had several times to attend to his ear. He stayed in bed next morning and took his breakfast in bed. He ate a good breakfast though still complaining of the earache. They had arranged to pay a visit to her cousin's at Elmers End that day, but as her husband seemed so unwell she advised him not to go. Saying it would cheer him up, however, he said he would go, and he got up shortly after ten-thirty. On arrival at Elmers End deceased could take no dinner but lay on the couch and had several hot water bottles. He became worse towards the evening, and at about three o'clock he took one aspirin tablet, after which he was violently sick. Some time later he was again sick. Deceased had taken aspirins from time to time, but never in any great quantities. By eight o'clock that night deceased was complaining of pains in the stomach and looked very ill. He took another aspirin and some neat whisky. A motor car was then ordered and he was taken home, witness and her cousin accompanying him.

COLLAPSE IN SURGERY.

On the way home they called at the surgery of Dr. A. Rose, in Portland-road. By this time her husband was in a state of collapse and had to be assisted out of the car and into the surgery. Dr. Rose examined him and gave it as his opinion that deceased was suffering from poisoning. Dr. Rose's partner also saw him and came to the same opinion. Dr. Rose advised his removal to the Croydon Hospital and the municipal ambulance was called and deceased was taken on to the hospital. At the hospital he was at once seen by a doctor who suggested that he was suffering from aspirin poisoning and gave him an injection. The doctor advised his removal to his home, where he would be more comfortable, and where he could sleep off the effects of the drug. Witness was told that if he became worse she must bring him back. While at the hospital deceased was in a semi-comatose condition. He had to be carried into the hospitals and out of it again. They left the hospital about midnight, having been there about an hour and a half. About half-past twelve her husband was so ill that she became worried and sent for Dr. Rose. He came at once and still said that deceased was suffering from poisoning and that he could do nothing more for him. The doctor came again at half-past six in the morning and gave him an injection. At ten minutes to two Dr. Rose came again accompanied by a specialist from Guy's Hospital. The two doctors were with him when he passed away.

Answering the Deputy Coroner, witness said she kept no poisons in the house. Her husband was a cheerful man and was devoted to her and the children. While at her cousin's house he was not out of sight of an of them for a minute. She could not account for the blisters found in his mouth by Dr. Rose. Similar evidence was given by Mr. Reginald Stanley Williams, cycle dealer and cousin of the last witness, of 39, Croydon-road, Elmers End, who said he had known deceased since 1912 and had always found him a happy and cheerful man. Witness enjoyed decease's confidence and felt sure that he would have told him had anything been troubling him.

Describing deceased's symptoms while at his house witness said that Mr Sear seemed dazed. He was not left alone for a minute while at witness's house.

Dr. A. Rose, 237 Selhurst-road, South Norwood, said he had known deceased for many years and had treated him for several minor ailments. He was a steady and sober man. At about nine o'clock on Sunday evening January 2nd, deceased was brought to his surgery in Portland-road. He was in a semi-dazed condition and could not speak, but was able to put out his tongue when witness asked him to. His temperature was normal, but his pulse was very feeble. The inside of his mouth looked as though it had been painted with white lead.

SYMPTOMS OF POISONING

From his symptoms, witness came to the conclusion that he had taken poison. He told Mrs Sear that her husband was dangerously ill and advised his immediate removal to hospital, which was done. He died at ten minutes to two on the Monday afternoon.

At this stage the Deputy Coroner said that in view of the extreme difficulty of the case he had thought it advisable to have an examination made by Dr. R.M. Bronte, the pathologist. Dr. Bronte was unfortunately unable to be present that afternoon owing to his being engaged elsewhere, and the inquiry would therefore have to be adjourned for his attendance.

The inquest was then adjourned for a week.