Mexborough and Swinton Times May 24, 1919

Wath Lady’s Death.

A Midnight Tragedy.

On Monday, the body of Mrs. Fanny Utley (59), widow of the late Mr. Dennis Utley, of Cross street. Wath, who had been missing since Wednesday night, was recovered from the canal at a point near the Wath brewery.

At the inquest conducted by Mr. Kenyon Parker on Wednesday, Elsie Utley, daughter of the deceased lady, said that family retired to bed on Wednesday night, and the last witness saw of deceased was when she got into bod about 10-30. On Thursday morning about 7-30 deceased failed to appear at the breakfast table, and witness discovered that she had disappeared. A search was instituted, the neighbouring fields, where deceased was wont to take her walks, and the houses of all her relatives in the neighbourhood, being visited with no result.

The police were then informed, and nothing further was heard until the body was brought home on Monday. Witness said that deceased had been suffering from melancholia as a result of two operations she had undergone for internal complaints. She had never threatened to commit suicide, neither had witness ever heard her wish herself dead.

The Coroner: Why should she go cut of the house in the early hours of the morning without informing anyone — We cannot understand that.

Coroner: Melancholia, which often cause suicidal tendencies, might explain that. Do you think it was accidental death ?—I don’t know what to think,

Witness thought deceased had wandered in her sleep and had been visiting the Brewery, where her late husband had worked.

Ernest Chapman, of Vickers’ road, Wath; discovered the body while returning from work about 6-15 on Monday morning. At first they thought they saw a football floating in the water, but upon a close examination found it to be the head of a woman. The body was submerged.

P.c. Davis helped to recover the body from the water. Deceased was fully clothed, and witness examined the body but found no marks suggesting violence. There was nothing in the coat pocket.

Clarence Utley, son of the deceased, of Wharncliffe Crescent, Wath, said that they searched the fields in the vicinity of his mother’s home, under the impression that she might possibly have been zestless and unable to sleep. The night was very warm. Deceased often took walks into the fields, and had only been down to the village on very rare occasions.           She had suffered rather badly from depression, but since witness turned from the Army a few weeks ago, she appeared to have been considerably better. Witness saw her on Wednesday evening, and she then appeared quite bright and cheerful. Witness did not think she contemplated suicide when lie retired for the night, as she was anxious that care should be taken to see all the doors were locked.

The Coroner said he was satisfied that death was date to drowning, And the only doubt be had was whether be sure record a ‘verdict’ of “suicide while suffering from melancholia,” or return an open verdict. He had decided to do what a jury would do under similar circumstances after hearing the evidence and be would return a verdict of “Found drowned,” though the same time he entertained no suspicion of foul play, neither did the evidence point to her having been drowned accidentally. Knowing that melancholia was but an incipient form of insanity, he inclined to the opinion that deceased had drowned herself she was not responsible for her actions.