A verdict of suicide whilst the balance of mind was affected, was returned by Mr. F. Green, foreman of the jury, at the inquest on Tuesday on Mrs. Joyce Mary Underwood (31), 112, Washbrook Road, Rushden.

In the case of her one-year-old daughter, Kathleen Mary, who was found clasped in her mother’s arms near an open gas stove, Mr. Green said that there could be no disputing the fact that Mrs. Underwood intended to take the child’s life as well as her own, but his opinion was that it was done while the balance of her mind was disturbed.

The husband, Herbert Arthur Underwood, a 35-year-old warehouseman, said that they were married two years ago.

His wife had been normal up to the time of the birth of their daughter, but then, despite medical evidence, she had become worried and depressed over the health of the child.

Three doctors and a London specialist had stated that there was nothing wrong with the child’s health.

In consequence of her worrying, she had become a voluntary patient at the Pendered Home just over eight weeks ago, and had returned home last Thursday.

On the morning of her departure to the Home, she was found by her husband in the kitchen with the gas stove turned on. She told him she was going to take her life, but realised that it was wrong.

Gas Stove

Since returning from the Pendered Home, she had been living with her husband’s mother, but Mr. Underwood still slept at Washbrook Road.

On Monday afternoon after having dinner at his mother’s, he was informed by his wife that she would like to clean up their home in Washbrook Road, and after walking there with her and the baby, Mr. Underwood left his wife at the door and went to work.

When he returned he found the back door locked, and on entering by the front door he went to the kitchen, where he found the two with their heads near the gas stove.

He turned off the gas and rushed to a nearby house with the baby. He then returned with a neighbour and they carried his wife into the backyard.

George Bazeley, 1, Fletcher Road, Rushden, described how Underwood had carried the child to his home and how he had returned with him. He said that he and Mr. Underwood had done everything they could until the doctor arrived.

Dr. W. A. T. McKendrick spoke of the call to Washbrook Road and said that death had taken place in both cases about two hours before he arrived and was due to coal gas poisoning.

At the conclusion of the inquest, Mr. Green expressed his sympathy with the husband on behalf of the jury.