A 57-year-old woman from Abbots Langley died from an overdose of prescription drugs, an inquest heard yesterday.

Sheila Bresler, from Tylersfield, had a history of depression, though the inquest heard that at the time of her death, there were no signs of potential suicide.

Ms Bresler's mother texted her to say good night one evening in November last year but got no reply. She went to her flat the next morning but found she had died in the night.

A toxicology report revealed a lethal dose of paracetamol, mixed with a prescription drug Ms Bresler was taking at the time.

The inquest, at Hatfield Coroner's Court, heard that Ms Bresler had leased her flat before travelling around Thailand early in 2009.

On her return she could not immediately get her flat back, something which triggered severe anxiety and depression.

She had seen her GP, who referred her to a mental health team with whom she had regular contact.

By November, according to her GP, she was feeling quite positive and was continuing with counselling.

At the time of her death there was no evidence that she has intended to take her own life but deputy coroner Graham Banbury ruled out accidental death at the verdict.

He said: β€œI cannot be satisfied this was an accident, she must have known that she was taking them.

β€œOn that basis I am recording an open verdict.”