Prolonged use of prescription drugs may have contributed to the death of a Tunbridge Wells woman – a coroner said today.
Jemma Baxter, 35, could have reached for a packet of painkillers in a desperate bid to stem the pain of gall stones but the act could have cost her life – an inquest into her death at Maidstone Coroners Court heard.
Miss Baxter, of Greggs Wood Road, who was found lying dead on her sofa on January 9 this year, suffered multi organ failure after her liver failed tipped over by the paracetamol based drug, co-codamol and her addiction to amphetamines and alcohol.
Coroner, Jeffrey Smith said evidence suggested Miss Baxter's death had been drug-related but nothing indicated she had taken her own life.
Giving evidence Det Sgt Richard O'Toole said empty drug packet blisters were found near Miss Baxter's body and letters written to friends and family.
"They clearly indicated Miss Baxter was not in the best place mentally and physically," he said.
She had "sadly fallen on hard times and had fallen in with the wrong crowd" but was "desperately trying" to get help for an addiction to amphetamines, alcohol and other medications, he added.
He said police had been called to the scene after her neighbour and friend, Jack Durrant became concerned for her welfare.
In a statement read to the court, Mr Durrant said Miss Baxter was a vulnerable person who suffered both mental and physical issues, including manic depression and schizophrenia.
"She wanted to help everybody – she just tended to get in with the wrong crowd which possibly got worse as the years went by. She had a heart of gold and she did so want to have children," she added.