THE death of a 50-year-old woman, found slumped on the toilet at her Melksham home, will remain shrouded in doubt.

Binge-drinker Sarah Paton was found by her husband sitting on the toilet with empty pill packets and an unfinished glass of wine close by.

Despite toxicology and blood-alcohol reports medical experts could find no precise cause of death.

Deputy Wiltshire Coroner William Bache, sitting at Chippenham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, said a lack of conclusive evidence made it impossible to pinpoint how the 50-year-old woman died. Mrs Paton was found dead at her home in The Cottage, Bowerhill, in the early hours of June 27.

Husband John discovered the dead body of his wife on the toilet.

Her chin was resting on a nearby sink and both arms were dangling by her side.

Laying the body on the floor, Mr Paton called for an ambulance but paramedics were unable to resuscitate her.

Mrs Paton had a history of depression and eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa.

In the run-up to her death, Mr Paton said his wife would go on drinking binges to cope with depression which itself stemmed from a problem relationship with her father. He said Mrs Paton used to keep down the level of alcohol in her blood by forcing sickness.

Speaking about how his wife managed to cover up her pain from friends and family, Mr Paton said: "She was a very good actress.

"She was a very clever woman indeed."

Melksham doctor Rob Hardy, based at St Damian's Surgery, said Mrs Paton had a "long history of neurotic depression".

Pathologist Dr Claire Fuller, who carried out a post-mortem examination in June, said drugs and drink were unlikely to be the sole cause of death.

Mrs Paton's blood-alcohol limit was two-times the legal driving level while normal traces of prescription drugs were found in her system.

Coroner Mr Bache said the possibility of suffocation could not be substantiated but a history of binge drinking could have led to a sudden heart attack.

He said: "It is, I am afraid, quite impossible on the evidence to find beyond the balance of probabilities which, if any, of these causes of death might have arisen in this case.

"There is absolutely no evidence at all of any attempt at suicide.

"The history of Mrs Paton is not an entirely happy one."

Verdict: Open