From the Kentish Gazette, 21 November 1843.

Awful Suicide.

On Monday morning last (13th inst.) about eleven o’clock, James M. Bracey, aged 21, of Ramsgate, but who for some time past has been lodging at the "Neptune Hall," near the Market here, was found by Mr. Brooke, the landlord of the house, lying dead on his bed. On the following day (Tuesday) an inquest was held on the body. Mr. Brooke proved the deceased lodged at his house, and that the last time he saw him alive was on Sunday evening, about twelve o'clock, when deceased went up stairs to go to bed, being at the time perfectly sober. In consequence of his not getting up on the following morning, about eleven o’clock the door was forced open, and deceased was found in the manner before mentioned. The body was warm, and a phial was standing on a table near the bed. Several other witnesses were called, who proved that some time since the deceased robbed his father (who is an aged and industrious man, and has lived for many years past as cook at the "Albion Hotel," Ramsgate) of £50, with which he decamped. On his subsequent return home, not being received so cordially as he wished, he took lodgings at the last-mentioned house; and that on the Saturday previous to his death he applied to Mr. Quested, chemist, for some prussic acid, who refused to serve him. He afterwards wrote a note in the name of Mr. Buddie, a farmer, for the poison, stating that his barns and premises were infested with rats, and that he wanted it to destroy them; this he took to Mr. Pickering’s, and procured the poison. A note was handed to the jury, which had been written and sent by deceased to his father, with directions on the cover to be delivered immediately. It contained a key and was to the following effect:— "That he did not consider he had been received in the manner he deserved, and that they should pay dearly for it, for that previous to that coming to their hands, he should be stiff and cold." It was proved clearly deceased died from the effects of taking the poison, and that he was in his senses at the time, and a verdict of "Felo de se" was returned. The same evening, about twelve o’clock, the body was buried without the usual burial service in the old church burying-ground. The aged parent, whom the deceased robbed, is confined to his bed through illness.