Sylvia Wright, a single woman, aged 22 years, a domestic servant, residing at Rowe street, North Fitzroy, died in the Women's Hospital on September 13 as the result of an illegal operation. The circumstances, leading to her death were investigated by the coroner (Dr. R. H Cole, P.M.) at the Morgue yesterday.
Roy Clarence Cecil Elliott, motor mechanic, Barkly street, St, Kilda, stated that he was introduced to the young woman three weeks before her death. She told him she was in a certain condition, and at her request he took her to a house in South Yarra. When he met her some days later she was ill, and was ordered to the Women's Hospital.
Dr. C. H. Mollison, who conducted the post-mortem examination, stated that death was due to acute septic peritonitis, following a certain event.
Detective John William Nadin gave evidence that Wright said an illegal operation was performed by a dark, stout-looking woman.
Julia Carter, Balmoral Street, South Yarra, and Millicent Becker, Arthur street, South Yarra, both denied on oath the allegations that they had had anything to do with Wright's death. Becker admitted having served a sentence of three years and three months' imprisonment for having assisted in an illegal operation.
Dr. Cole said that there was no doubt that the two women carried on illegal practices, but the evidence was not sufficient to commit them for trial unless corroborated, "I find," said Dr. Cole, "that this woman died from septicemia following a criminal act. There is no evidence to show by whom the act was performed. This is the legal way of putting it, but I am convinced in my own mind that these two women were concerned in it."
'Wright, Sylvia (1898–1920)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/wright-sylvia-15136/text26330, accessed 13 May 2026.