AN OVERDOSE of paracetamol tablets was thought to have killed a mother struggling with a drink problem.

But Deputy Assistant Coroner, John Birch, recorded an open verdict on the death of Elaine Veronica Rookledge, of Whalley Road, Clitheroe, who died in hospital on July 8.

She was admitted to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with what was thought to be acute liver failure but following the evidence the coroner said that he could not be sure beyond reasonable doubt that the 42-year-old did not take her own life.

The inquest heard that Mrs Rookledge, who had a 13-year-old son, suffered a difficult marriage break-up six years ago and often had drinking binges.

Stella Mason, Elaine's mother, said: "Two weeks prior to her death she had a heavy drinking session and after that she never seemed herself again. She turned a yellow colour, stopped eating and just drank lucozade.

"When we were out walking together in Clitheroe she stopped and complained of abdominal pains and she went straight to bed when we got home."

The inquest heard that a doctor was contacted and he sent her to hospital, believing her to be suffering from jaundice and acute liver failure.

But a post mortem examination revealed that her liver showed no effects of alcohol abuse, and was mottled in such a way as to suggest an overdose of paracetamol.

Dr Lawler stated that the drug could have been taken up to a week earlier before it took effect but added that this was not absolutely certain, only the most likely cause of death.

Her mother said that she had discussed her daughter's bouts of depression with her but added that she always seemed quite a happy person even when she was unwell.

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