Thatcham woman Amanda Williams died from drug combination, inquest told
A woman described by friends as “one in a million” died after taking prescription drugs and cocaine.
Amanda Williams earned the love and loyalty of friends in the Thatcham area.
But the 44-year-old died alone after struggling with her mental health and drug abuse.
An inquest into her death was held at Reading Town Hall on Monday (July 29).
An agent for the management at Ms Williams’ home in The Broadway in Thatcham became concerned for her welfare and gained entry with the help of a locksmith on January 29.
Ms Williams was found inside, deceased, with blister packs of prescription medication nearby, the inquest heard.
Police concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances or evidence of third party involvement.
The hearing was told that Ms Williams’ key was still in the inside lock and CCTV footage showed no one had entered the property.
Toxicology tests showed cocaine had been taken recently, plus a moderate amount of alcohol.
In addition, the inquest heard, there were very large amounts of prescription medication for conditions including depression, anxiety and panic attacks in Ms Williams’ system at the time of death.
One of these alone had been taken in quantities previously associated with fatality, said assistant Berkshire coroner Justine Spencer.
She added that Ms Williams had told her GP that she found December and January a particularly difficult time of year.
Nevertheless, went on Ms Spencer, she had told the GP that she was “not brave enough” to take her own life and “would never do something like that”.
The inquest heard that Ms Williams had become estranged from her foster parents, who had adopted her.
She said Ms Williams was known for her “flamboyant dress sense” and distinctive tattoos and was a “well liked member of the community”.
Ms Spencer added: “This hasn’t been a straightforward investigation but there are no suspicious circumstances and no evidence of third party involvement.
“Her mental health was deteriorating…she was increasingly unwilling to leave the house and was consuming alcohol and cocaine.
“There was a significant amount of medication taken.
“Amanda was clearly an outgoing, vivacious lady who had supportive, close friends and she was a mother to several children.
“She was caught in a downward spiral of mental health and drug abuse issues.”
The cause of death was given as the combined toxic effects of the prescription drugs and cocaine.
Ms Spencer said there was no evidence or suggestion that Ms Williams had intended to take her own life.
In a narrative conclusion Ms Spencer repeated that she determined that Ms Williams had died from the combined, cardio-toxic effects of self administered prescription drugs and cocaine.
Ms Williams’ friends who attended the inquest said afterwards that she was “one in a million”.
One added: “Everyone in the area knew her.
“She was the ‘selfie’ queen and she was beautiful - both inside and out.”
Anyone seeking support can contact the following organisations:
Eight Bells for Mental Health: www.eightbellsnewbury.co.uk – call 07387 962220 – email coordinator@eightbellsnewbury.co.uk
You can visit www.recoveryinmind.org and find a number of resources to help you look after your mental health.
Mental Health Crisis Team – call if you need urgent help, but it’s not an emergency 0300 365 0300 or 0300 365 9999
Sane Line – www.sane.org.uk – call 0300 304 7000
Childline: www.childline.org.uk – 0800 1111
Mind: www.mind.org.uk – 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
The Samaritans: www.samaritans.org – call 116 123 – email jo@samaritans.org
