A month after fulfilling her life-long dream of relocating to a place in the sun, Samantha Knight died of a drug overdose, an inquest heard.

The 34-year-old, from Swindon, sold her house in Farriers Close, Gorse Hill, and in May last year moved to Larnaca, Cyprus.

Her mother, Angela Knight, of Penhill, told the hearing yesterday: "Sam always wanted to live abroad."

During a three-week holiday in Cyprus in March last year, Miss Knight, who suffered from depression and had taken an overdose at the age of 14, signed a 12-month lease on an apartment.

Two months later she and her pet dog flew out from Britain to start a new life, the inquest was told.

On June 20, a week before Miss Knight was found dead, she told her mother on the phone how hot and sunny it was as she did her ironing on the balcony, the inquest was told.

A few days later her friend, Catherine Hobbs, from Park South, was told by Miss Knight in their daily text message conversations that she was becoming bored, was missing friends and was planning to return home to Swindon.

"She said she hated it, she was really depressed, but she did not indicate what she was going to do," Ms Hobbs said.

Ms Hobbs said Miss Knight was full of life and very bubbly and had become friendly with the cousin of the estate agent in Larnaca.

She added: "She had not seen him for a few days and she was a bit upset."

When Miss Knight failed to fly back to Britain or return messages, Miss Hobbs reported her missing to Wiltshire Police on June 28.

That day a member of staff from the estate agents visited Miss Knight's locked apartment and was greeted by the sound of her dog barking.

Miss Knight's body was found on her bed, surrounded by anti-depressant pill containers, the inquest heard.

Following her history of depression her GP, aware of her plans to go to Cyprus, had given her three months' supply of amitriptyline, the court heard.

Having received post-mortem test results, Wiltshire coroner David Masters recorded the cause of death as an amitriptyline overdose. He said he lacked the evidence needed to prove Miss Knight intended to kill herself and he recorded an open verdict.

He said: "There seems to have been a build-up of loneliness and distress.

"The evidence indicates she was depressed but intending to come home. She may have been missing her friends in Swindon."

Gareth Bethell