Chorleywood: A widow took painkillers in her tea to end her life because she was worried about a doctor's appointment, an inquest heard.

Mrs Florence Vialls, 75, of Whitelands Avenue, Chorleywood, was found dead in an armchair after taking a fatal dose of painkilling tablets Coproxamol, prescribed for her arthritis, St Albans Coroner's Court heard.

A widow for seven years, Mrs Vialls was described as an active pensioner, who enjoyed spending time with her family.

But, in the weeks leading up to her death on Monday, September 3, she had been feeling unwell and was being treated for a stomach bug by her GP.

She was due to visit the doctor again the day after she killed herself, and according to deputy coroner Graham Danbury, worry about the appointment may have influenced her state of mind.

The inquest heard she was feeling depressed, was having trouble sleeping and was frustrated she could not do her normal household chores.

Although her condition appeared to improve in the week before her death Mrs Vialls said she was not up to a family Sunday lunch.

She was found dead in her living room the next day by her daughter, Mrs Wendy Wise.

On a table, next to her armchair, was a packet which had contained 100 Coproxamol tablets, a packet of 60 sleeping pills and a teacup with a white, powdery residue in it.

A post mortem and blood tests gave the medical cause of death as an overdose of Coproxamol.

In a written statement Mrs Vialls's doctor, who was called to her home, said he was told by relatives that she had expressed suicidal thoughts.

Mrs Wise told the court: "She said it once and we said don't be stupid - I can't remember when it was within the past couple of weeks.

"She just said she felt it and then pulled herself round."

The inquest also heard the control panel of gas fire was open and a rug had been pushed against the living room door, although the gas was not on.

But, deputy coroner Mr Danbury, said he did not know what significance, if any, could be attached to this.

He recorded a verdict of suicide while the balance of the mind was disturbed, adding he did not think Mrs Vialls would have wished to end her life in normal circumstances.

He said: "It is clear no-one else was involved in her death and she'd taken a substantial over dose of her prescribed medication Coproxamol and that is the direct and only cause of her death."

He continued: "I know that on that day Mrs Vialls had been feeling depressed.

"She knew she had to go to the doctors the next day and may well have been worried about what extra details she was going to find out.

"She had things on her mind which may have affected her usual approach.

"I am satisfied in these circumstances she went through with a course of action she intended to bring about her death but that this was influenced by worries she had about the doctors and so on."

November 26, 2001 10:30