Margaret Dewhurst

Margaret Dewhurst died from peritonitis following a criminal operation.

She died on 10 September 1940 after being taken to hospital.

Her mother said that she knew nothing about her condition, saying that she had not confided in her. She said that she thought that Margaret Dewhurst had influenza when she sent for the doctor.

When the doctor arrived, he immediately ordered her removal to hospital.

When the police spoke to Margaret Dewhurst before she died, she denied that there had been any operation.

The pathologist that carried out her post-mortem said that he found that a criminal operation had been carried out and added that he didn't think that Margaret Dewhurst could have done it herself.

The Coroner said that while it was apparent that a criminal operation had been performed, there was no evidence to show by whom it had been performed.

An open verdict was returned.