Woman died of drugs overdose

From the archive, first published Monday 11th Sep 2006.

A GRIEVING woman with a long history of mental health problems died from a drugs overdose.

Stephanie Foster, aged 46, was found dead at her home in Neville Close, Bolton, on May 8, 2006.

An inquest at Bolton Town Hall heard how the mother-of-one, who suffered from agoraphobia, depression and an obsessive compulsive disorder, had been struggling to come to terms with the death of her partner of 20 years, who died 12 months earlier of cancer.

She had been receiving weekly visits from a community psychiatric nurse who contacted the police when she was unable to reach Ms Foster by telephone.

Police officers broke into the house and found Ms Foster's body on the living room floor.

It was initially believed she had died from a fall, but blood tests later revealed fatal levels of prescription drugs.

Deputy coroner Alan Walsh said: "I have no evidence as to where the drugs came from but it is likely it could have been her partner's medication.

"However there was no suicide note and I have no evidence of her intention. The only person who knew what happened on that day is Stephanie Foster."

The cause of death was an overdose and the coroner recorded an open verdict.

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