Documents relating to Amelia Rothera

Halifax Woman's Death
Verdict of Wilful Murder.

The adjourned inquest on Amelia Rothera (age 27), a married woman living apart from her husband in Bull Close Lane, Halifax, who died in suspicious circumstances was held on Wednesday night.

PC Collins said that when he was about to remove the body,

Mrs Gough, the deceased's sister said

She told me she had been to see Mrs Wood at 'Owram

Emily Ann Gough, the sister, said that was correct.

The Coroner

In your evidence last week, you said that you had no recollection of Owram being mentioned

Witness

I only told you what I could think of

The Coroner

According to your statement no name was mentioned

I am sure she said something about Owram and Wood

Did your sister tell you she was going to Mrs Wood's of Owram?

She said something about it but I said "Don't go"

Why did you object?

Because I had no idea where she was going

Joe Harry Lonsdale Dean of 6, Eldon Street, Halifax, said he was in charge of a tram from Stump Cross at 5:45 pm on the 11th inst. A young woman fainted at Prospect Street, New Bank, and he recognised her as the deceased by the clothing she wore. When she got off the car at Union Street she said she was only going to Bull Close Lane.

The Coroner, summing up, said that the medical evidence showed that the death was due to blood poisoning caused by an illegal operation,

The statements of the deceased though throwing light on the cause of death, could not be admitted for the purpose of bringing a charge against any person.

The Jury returned a verdict that death was caused by blood poisoning due to an illegal operation, but added that there was not sufficient evidence to show who had performed it.

The Coroner

Wilful murder against someone unknown?

The Foreman

Yes