CORONER'S INQUIRY.
Mr. Coroner Groves, on Sunday night last, held an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Roy Lefevre, which occurred at the residence of his parents on the afternoon of that day. The inquiry was promptly conducted through fear of flood waters, then rising, being likely to prevent the possibility of getting to the residence later—as it was the creek rose about a foot during the time the inquiry was being held. Constable Taylor gave evidence as to having taken change of the body, after receiving intimation of the death. At the feet of the dead body he picked up a double-barrelled breech-loading gun, which had a recently exploded shot cartridge in it G. A. Lefevre brother of deceased, deposed: At about quarter to 4 o'clock this afternoon I had just dozed off to sleep, when I heard my mother call out "Roy's got the gun." As I got on to my feet I heard the gun go off. I ran to where the
body was, and my brother Fred had hold of it, he having got there before me. The body was quite motionless, showing that death must have been instantaneous. Only a few seconds elapsed after the gun went off before I got there. Deceased had been subject to fits ever since he was a baby. The gun was owned by me, and was unloaded
when I had it last. Never heard my brother threaten at any time that he would shoot himself. Elizabeth Lefevre, mother of deceased, deposed: My son had been under medical treatment for eight years, by four different doctors. He was always subject to fits, and was in one the night before last, but none had occurred for previous two days, which was an unusually long time between them. He seemed very restless and peevish today, and couldn't settle down or rest. He complained this morning of feeling lonely, saying he would like to hear some music. He got his tennis racquet ready to go and have a game at about 11 o'clock, but changed his mind, saying that he was expecting his brother Dave ever from Wermatong, and he would rather see him. I was in the kitchen writing at about half-past 2, and suggested to deceased to go for a walk with me up on to the hill near the house, but he declined because he said it was going to rain. I walked out on to the verandah in front of the residence, and after being there a time I heard Roy call his brother Fred I looked through doorways leading into the kitchen, and saw the boy had the gun in his hand. I called out to my son George who was lying down in the bedroom, "Roy has your gun; ask him for it." George jumped up at once, and as he walked out to the kitchen he said "Don't do that, Roy." I then heard the gunshot report, and walked away. Firearms were always kept out of the boy's way, because it was feared that he may go off into a fit with one in his hand, and he may accidentally shoot someone. After severe fits he was accustomed to have a violent temper. I have known him to have as many as 12 in a day. He was easily managed whilst the fit was on. My son George usually pulled his gun to pieces after using it, but on last occasion, after shooting some parrots, the gun was left intact. We were not afraid of the lad shooting himself. The kitchen is situated about 10 yards from the dwelling. Dr. Clouston deposed: I am of opinion, from evidence I have heard given, that deceased's death was due to effects of a gunshot wound self-inflicted. I found that the whole of the top of the head was blown away, the charge striking the deceased at the level of the right eyebrow, in very close range, as the
powder had burnt the skin. The entire brain was shot away, some having fallen on the floor, but a considerable portion of the roof above was bespattered with brains and blood. He must have been bending forward with his right eyebrow resting on the muzzle of the gun. I have been treating deceased for the past three years for epilepsy, and know from evidence given that he has been suffering much longer than that. It is quite likely that deceased was not responsible for his action, as the disease he was suffering from often causes uncontrollable acts. A verdict was returned of death from a gunshot wound self-inflicted whilst in a state of temporary insanity, brought on by despondency through suffering from epilepsy.
The Tumut and Adelong Times (NSW : 1864 - 1867; 1899 - 1950) Thursday 15 June 1916
Mr. Coroner Groves, on Sunday night last, held an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Roy Lefevre, which occurred at the residence of his parents on the afternoon of that day. The inquiry was promptly conducted through fear of flood waters, then rising, being likely to prevent the possibility of getting to the residence later—as it was the creek rose about a foot during the time the inquiry was being held. Constable Taylor gave evidence as to having taken change of the body, after receiving intimation of the death. At the feet of the dead body he picked up a double-barrelled breech-loading gun, which had a recently exploded shot cartridge in it G. A. Lefevre brother of deceased, deposed: At about quarter to 4 o'clock this afternoon I had just dozed off to sleep, when I heard my mother call out "Roy's got the gun." As I got on to my feet I heard the gun go off. I ran to where the
body was, and my brother Fred had hold of it, he having got there before me. The body was quite motionless, showing that death must have been instantaneous. Only a few seconds elapsed after the gun went off before I got there. Deceased had been subject to fits ever since he was a baby. The gun was owned by me, and was unloaded
when I had it last. Never heard my brother threaten at any time that he would shoot himself. Elizabeth Lefevre, mother of deceased, deposed: My son had been under medical treatment for eight years, by four different doctors. He was always subject to fits, and was in one the night before last, but none had occurred for previous two days, which was an unusually long time between them. He seemed very restless and peevish today, and couldn't settle down or rest. He complained this morning of feeling lonely, saying he would like to hear some music. He got his tennis racquet ready to go and have a game at about 11 o'clock, but changed his mind, saying that he was expecting his brother Dave ever from Wermatong, and he would rather see him. I was in the kitchen writing at about half-past 2, and suggested to deceased to go for a walk with me up on to the hill near the house, but he declined because he said it was going to rain. I walked out on to the verandah in front of the residence, and after being there a time I heard Roy call his brother Fred I looked through doorways leading into the kitchen, and saw the boy had the gun in his hand. I called out to my son George who was lying down in the bedroom, "Roy has your gun; ask him for it." George jumped up at once, and as he walked out to the kitchen he said "Don't do that, Roy." I then heard the gunshot report, and walked away. Firearms were always kept out of the boy's way, because it was feared that he may go off into a fit with one in his hand, and he may accidentally shoot someone. After severe fits he was accustomed to have a violent temper. I have known him to have as many as 12 in a day. He was easily managed whilst the fit was on. My son George usually pulled his gun to pieces after using it, but on last occasion, after shooting some parrots, the gun was left intact. We were not afraid of the lad shooting himself. The kitchen is situated about 10 yards from the dwelling. Dr. Clouston deposed: I am of opinion, from evidence I have heard given, that deceased's death was due to effects of a gunshot wound self-inflicted. I found that the whole of the top of the head was blown away, the charge striking the deceased at the level of the right eyebrow, in very close range, as the
powder had burnt the skin. The entire brain was shot away, some having fallen on the floor, but a considerable portion of the roof above was bespattered with brains and blood. He must have been bending forward with his right eyebrow resting on the muzzle of the gun. I have been treating deceased for the past three years for epilepsy, and know from evidence given that he has been suffering much longer than that. It is quite likely that deceased was not responsible for his action, as the disease he was suffering from often causes uncontrollable acts. A verdict was returned of death from a gunshot wound self-inflicted whilst in a state of temporary insanity, brought on by despondency through suffering from epilepsy.
The Tumut and Adelong Times (NSW : 1864 - 1867; 1899 - 1950) Thursday 15 June 1916
CORONER'S INQUIRY.
Mr. Coroner Groves, on Sunday night last, held an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Roy Lefevre, which occurred at the residence of his parents on the afternoon of that day. The inquiry was promptly conducted through fear of flood waters, then rising, being likely to prevent the possibility of getting to the residence later—as it was the creek rose about a foot during the time the inquiry was being held. Constable Taylor gave evidence as to having taken change of the body, after receiving intimation of the death. At the feet of the dead body he picked up a double-barrelled breech-loading gun, which had a recently exploded shot cartridge in it G. A. Lefevre brother of deceased, deposed: At about quarter to 4 o'clock this afternoon I had just dozed off to sleep, when I heard my mother call out "Roy's got the gun." As I got on to my feet I heard the gun go off. I ran to where the
body was, and my brother Fred had hold of it, he having got there before me. The body was quite motionless, showing that death must have been instantaneous. Only a few seconds elapsed after the gun went off before I got there. Deceased had been subject to fits ever since he was a baby. The gun was owned by me, and was unloaded
when I had it last. Never heard my brother threaten at any time that he would shoot himself. Elizabeth Lefevre, mother of deceased, deposed: My son had been under medical treatment for eight years, by four different doctors. He was always subject to fits, and was in one the night before last, but none had occurred for previous two days, which was an unusually long time between them. He seemed very restless and peevish today, and couldn't settle down or rest. He complained this morning of feeling lonely, saying he would like to hear some music. He got his tennis racquet ready to go and have a game at about 11 o'clock, but changed his mind, saying that he was expecting his brother Dave ever from Wermatong, and he would rather see him. I was in the kitchen writing at about half-past 2, and suggested to deceased to go for a walk with me up on to the hill near the house, but he declined because he said it was going to rain. I walked out on to the verandah in front of the residence, and after being there a time I heard Roy call his brother Fred I looked through doorways leading into the kitchen, and saw the boy had the gun in his hand. I called out to my son George who was lying down in the bedroom, "Roy has your gun; ask him for it." George jumped up at once, and as he walked out to the kitchen he said "Don't do that, Roy." I then heard the gunshot report, and walked away. Firearms were always kept out of the boy's way, because it was feared that he may go off into a fit with one in his hand, and he may accidentally shoot someone. After severe fits he was accustomed to have a violent temper. I have known him to have as many as 12 in a day. He was easily managed whilst the fit was on. My son George usually pulled his gun to pieces after using it, but on last occasion, after shooting some parrots, the gun was left intact. We were not afraid of the lad shooting himself. The kitchen is situated about 10 yards from the dwelling. Dr. Clouston deposed: I am of opinion, from evidence I have heard given, that deceased's death was due to effects of a gunshot wound self-inflicted. I found that the whole of the top of the head was blown away, the charge striking the deceased at the level of the right eyebrow, in very close range, as the
powder had burnt the skin. The entire brain was shot away, some having fallen on the floor, but a considerable portion of the roof above was bespattered with brains and blood. He must have been bending forward with his right eyebrow resting on the muzzle of the gun. I have been treating deceased for the past three years for epilepsy, and know from evidence given that he has been suffering much longer than that. It is quite likely that deceased was not responsible for his action, as the disease he was suffering from often causes uncontrollable acts. A verdict was returned of death from a gunshot wound self-inflicted whilst in a state of temporary insanity, brought on by despondency through suffering from epilepsy.
The Tumut and Adelong Times (NSW : 1864 - 1867; 1899 - 1950) Thursday 15 June 1916
Mr. Coroner Groves, on Sunday night last, held an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Roy Lefevre, which occurred at the residence of his parents on the afternoon of that day. The inquiry was promptly conducted through fear of flood waters, then rising, being likely to prevent the possibility of getting to the residence later—as it was the creek rose about a foot during the time the inquiry was being held. Constable Taylor gave evidence as to having taken change of the body, after receiving intimation of the death. At the feet of the dead body he picked up a double-barrelled breech-loading gun, which had a recently exploded shot cartridge in it G. A. Lefevre brother of deceased, deposed: At about quarter to 4 o'clock this afternoon I had just dozed off to sleep, when I heard my mother call out "Roy's got the gun." As I got on to my feet I heard the gun go off. I ran to where the
body was, and my brother Fred had hold of it, he having got there before me. The body was quite motionless, showing that death must have been instantaneous. Only a few seconds elapsed after the gun went off before I got there. Deceased had been subject to fits ever since he was a baby. The gun was owned by me, and was unloaded
when I had it last. Never heard my brother threaten at any time that he would shoot himself. Elizabeth Lefevre, mother of deceased, deposed: My son had been under medical treatment for eight years, by four different doctors. He was always subject to fits, and was in one the night before last, but none had occurred for previous two days, which was an unusually long time between them. He seemed very restless and peevish today, and couldn't settle down or rest. He complained this morning of feeling lonely, saying he would like to hear some music. He got his tennis racquet ready to go and have a game at about 11 o'clock, but changed his mind, saying that he was expecting his brother Dave ever from Wermatong, and he would rather see him. I was in the kitchen writing at about half-past 2, and suggested to deceased to go for a walk with me up on to the hill near the house, but he declined because he said it was going to rain. I walked out on to the verandah in front of the residence, and after being there a time I heard Roy call his brother Fred I looked through doorways leading into the kitchen, and saw the boy had the gun in his hand. I called out to my son George who was lying down in the bedroom, "Roy has your gun; ask him for it." George jumped up at once, and as he walked out to the kitchen he said "Don't do that, Roy." I then heard the gunshot report, and walked away. Firearms were always kept out of the boy's way, because it was feared that he may go off into a fit with one in his hand, and he may accidentally shoot someone. After severe fits he was accustomed to have a violent temper. I have known him to have as many as 12 in a day. He was easily managed whilst the fit was on. My son George usually pulled his gun to pieces after using it, but on last occasion, after shooting some parrots, the gun was left intact. We were not afraid of the lad shooting himself. The kitchen is situated about 10 yards from the dwelling. Dr. Clouston deposed: I am of opinion, from evidence I have heard given, that deceased's death was due to effects of a gunshot wound self-inflicted. I found that the whole of the top of the head was blown away, the charge striking the deceased at the level of the right eyebrow, in very close range, as the
powder had burnt the skin. The entire brain was shot away, some having fallen on the floor, but a considerable portion of the roof above was bespattered with brains and blood. He must have been bending forward with his right eyebrow resting on the muzzle of the gun. I have been treating deceased for the past three years for epilepsy, and know from evidence given that he has been suffering much longer than that. It is quite likely that deceased was not responsible for his action, as the disease he was suffering from often causes uncontrollable acts. A verdict was returned of death from a gunshot wound self-inflicted whilst in a state of temporary insanity, brought on by despondency through suffering from epilepsy.
The Tumut and Adelong Times (NSW : 1864 - 1867; 1899 - 1950) Thursday 15 June 1916
Gravesite Details
The 3 LeFevre plots are 47-49, which are the 3 bare plots on the right hand side of the photo, are for Rowley (son known as Roy died 1916), George & Elizabeth (respectively). There are no markers. Information from Tumut Library.
Family Members
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