DEATH.
SIMPSON. — On October 3rd, 1932, at Dunedin (suddenly), John Francis Percival Simpson (police constable), late of Bishop-Auckland, County of Durham, England; aged 28 years. — The Funeral will leave our Chapel, 219 George street. To-morrow (Wednesday). the 5th inst., at 2.30 p.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery. — R. McLean and Son, undertakers. -Evening Star, 4/10/1932.
A TRAGIC DISCOVERY
DEATH OF A CONSTABLE
RIFLE ALONGSIDE BODY.
A tragic discovery was made by members of the Police Force on Monday night when, on entering the room of Constable John Francis Percival Simpson, who had not reported for duty, they found that the missing man had died from the effects of a bullet wound. A rifle was found beside the body. Constable Simpson, who was 28 years of age, had been a member of the force for over three years.
An inquest was held at the Police Station yesterday morning. Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., presided as coroner, and Sub-inspector Cameron represented the police.
Dr W. Evans, police surgeon, stated that he had examined the body at about 9.45 and had formed the opinion that death had taken place four hours previously. He had found a bullet wound on the left side of the palate, and was of opinion that the cause of death was haemorrhage due to injuries to the base of the skull and brain caused by a bullet wound. He had known the deceased for some time. In December last Simpson had suffered wounds to his nose, forehead, and skull caused by his being struck with a beer bottle when arresting a prisoner. These wounds had been of a superficial character and could not, in witness’s opinion, have given rise to any mental change in the deceased. Whenever witness bad seen him he had been bright and cheerful.
Constable Mackie said that the deceased was a single man and a native of England. So far as witness was aware Simpson had no relatives in the Dominion. He had been a man of quiet disposition, and had never at any time disclosed his private business to witness. He had seldom spoken of his own affairs, but had been cheerful in company. The deceased had been in witness’s room between 3.30 and 4 o’clock on Monday afternoon, and had then been in his usual health and spirits. Witness owned a .22 calibre rifle, which he always kept standing in a corner of his room behind a dressing table. He had also left a packet of cartridges in a pocket of a coat, which had been hanging in his room. He had seen his rifle in the deceased’s room after the body had been discovered by Sergeant McCarthy and, upon examining it, he had found a discharged cartridge shell in the breech. On going to his room he had found that the cartridges were still in his pocket, but he could not say whether any were missing. So far as witness knew Simpson had had no worries, and he could give no reason why the deceased had taken his life. The deceased and witness had decided some time ago to go on holiday together, and when they had been asked by the sub-inspector about the beginning of August to make their applications for leave the deceased had told him that he did not want to go away then. Since then witness had asked him on more than one occasion why he did not want his leave, but he had never given any reason, although witness had joked with him about the matter. When witness had gone off duty shortly after 9 o’clock on Monday night he had heard Sergeant McCarthy asking if anyone had seen the deceased, who had not reported for duty. They had then gone upstairs and had found the deceased’s door locked. A constable had produced a key, by means of which the door had been opened, and the deceased had been found in a sitting position with the rifle between his legs.
Constable Cook gave corroborative evience.
Sergeant McCarthy described the discovery of the body, and stated that he had been unable to find any written message. The deceased had joined the force in July, 1929, and had been an efficient and trustworthy constable, and was of a bright and happy disposition. Witness also referred to the incident in December last, when the deceased had been struck on the head with a bottle. He added that no after-effects of the occurrence had been apparent.
The coroner said that this was a tragic occurrence. The deceased had been a capable and reliable constable and had been popular with his fellow officers. The affair was entirely inexplicable. His verdict would be that the cause of death was a bullet wound self-inflicted. -Otago Daily Times, 5/10/1932.
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