A WOMAN who had quit drinking started again because of the trauma of having a mastectomy and breast cancer treatment, an inquest heard.
Herts Coroner’s Court was told Carol Donovan, of Water Lane, Kings Langley, was more than three-and-a-half times the drink drive limit when she was found dead at home on March 16.
The 67-year-old may have been concerned about the cancer spreading before she was discovered at lunchtime face down in bed by her partner, who attempted CPR but paramedics later confirmed she had died.
A post mortem showed a ‘potentially fatal’ level of 375 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of blood, diazepam and high levels of paracetamol.
The cause of death was acute alcohol intoxication.
Coroner Edward Thomas said: “Although she had alcohol problems in the past, the trauma of the treatment of the cancer, she had actually started drinking again.
“There were no signs of spread of the cancer, which I think was one of the things she was worried about.”
Verdict: misadventure.