Recluse Kills Self After Worry Over Age and Infirmities

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RECLUSE KILLS SELF AFTER WORRY OVER AGE AND INFIRMITIES Daughter Discovers Body; Lived Alone 35 Years After Wife Died WANTED TO DIE THERE Apparently despondent because of his age and infirmities, Edward Babnew, 73, committed suicide by inhaling gas in the bedroom of his home at 294 Chestnut street. He had been dead several days when his body was discovered last night, Benjamin R. Denny said. His body was found by a daughter, Mrs. Katherine Paul, of 223 Evergreen avenue, Woodynne, when she came to visit him. He had been living alone since the death of his wife about 35 years ago and had refused the invitations of his children to live with them. Mrs. Paul found the house dark and summoned Sergeant Frank Crawford and Detective Joseph Carpani, who broke open the back door. The odor of gas led them to a bedroom upstairs where they found Babnew lying on the bed, a rubber hose leading from his mouth to the gas jet. He had carefully tied the hose in such a manner that the flow would be uninterrupted. Atop a clock was a note giving Mrs. Paul's name and address but containing no message. The clock had stopped at 7.07 o'clock. According to Mrs. Paul her father often expressed the wish to die in his own home. Babnew is survived by two other daughters, Mrs. Mary Wood, of 9502 Westfield avenue, Pennsauken, and Mrs. Elizabeth Stow, of Merchantville, and two sons, Raymond, of Gloucester Heights, and David, of 614 Pine street.

Daughter Discovers Body; Lived Alone 35 Years After Wife Died

WANTED TO DIE THERE

Apparently despondent because of his age and infirmities, Edward Babnew, 73, committed suicide by inhaling gas in the bedroom of his home at 294 Chestnut street. He had been dead several days when his body was discovered last night, Benjamin R. Denny said.

His body was found by a daughter, Mrs. Katherine Paul, of 223 Evergreen avenue, Woodynne, when she came to visit him. He had been living alone since the death of his wife about 35 years ago and had refused the invitations of his children to live with them.

Mrs. Paul found the house dark and summoned Sergeant Frank Crawford and Detective Joseph Carpani, who broke open the back door. The odor of gas led them to a bedroom upstairs where they found Babnew lying on the bed, a rubber hose leading from his mouth to the gas jet. He had carefully tied the hose in such a manner that the flow would be uninterrupted.

Atop a clock was a note giving Mrs. Paul's name and address but containing no message. The clock had stopped at 7.07 o'clock.

According to Mrs. Paul her father often expressed the wish to die in his own home.

Babnew is survived by two other daughters, Mrs. Mary Wood, of 9502 Westfield avenue, Pennsauken, and Mrs. Elizabeth Stow, of Merchantville, and two sons, Raymond, of Gloucester Heights, and David, of 614 Pine street.