Inquest concludes into tragic death of Street woman who died at her home

An inquest held today (September 15) after a 56-year-old Street woman died at her home, has been unable to officially discover her cause of death from the evidence provided.

Ann Farrow, who lived in Burleigh Lane, died on March 1 after taking a mixture of medication and then making an attempt on her life.

However, she then tried to get the drugs out of her system, and the toxicology report did not show any fatal levels of medication in her system.

Senior Somerset coroner Tony Williams concluded the inquest today with a narrative verdict, with the cause of death of Ms Farrow being unascertained.

The inquest heard that Ms Farrow has a history of alcohol dependence and had attempted to overdose on medication a number of times in the past.

She had been into rehab on a number of occasions but would relapse soon afterwards, with an arrest for drink-driving shortly before her death after she drove her car into another vehicle.

A statement from her GP said Ms Farrow drank about half a litre of vodka a day, with the drinking being caused by a deep emotional trauma that had gone on for decades.

However, the doctor praised Ms Farrow's partner and son for their support in trying to help Ms Farrow.

On the day of her death, paramedics attended Ms Farrow's home following an emergency call and found her drifting in and out of consciousness.

She went into cardiac arrest and, despite concerted efforts to revive her, was pronounced dead just after 10.30am.

A post mortem was carried out by pathologist Dr Mukonoweshuro from Bath Royal United Hospital and in the toxicology report there was no evidence found of any alcohol in Ms Farrow's blood and all the medication limits were in therapeutic range, leaving the cause of death as unascertained.

In concluding the inquest, the coroner Mr Williams said that he had not heard any evidence of intent for Ms Farrow to take her own life, given that she had been trying to get the medication out of her system, or that she had died of natural causes.

He said: "From the evidence presented to this inquest, I have not discovered the cause of death or the means by which the cause of death arose, leading me to record something akin to an open conclusion."

- If you have been affected by this article in any way, the Samaritans can provide help and advice, via their free telephone number 116 123. Also, the Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Service can help via their telephone number 0300 330 5463.