At an inquest concerning the death of William Keenlyside, of Toatoa, held in Opotiki before the coroner, Mr. F. J. Short, an employee of the deceased, Peter Scott, stated that he went outside to feed the fowls and heard a report. Upon returning to the house he found his employer sitting on a chair with the top of his head blown off. A shot gun was leaning against his right leg. Police evidence showed that the deceased had recently received word that his wife was seriously ill. She had been the victim of a serious motor accident some months ago. The coroner stated that the circumstances surrounding the case were particularly sad. The verdict was that death was due to a gunshot wound while in a state of temporary insanity
REF: POVERTY BAY HERALD, VOLUME LV, ISSUE 17665, 31 DECEMBER 1931, PAGE 4