A FORMER receptionist who suffered from a number of painful ailments was found hanged, an inquest in Wrexham heard.

Carol Ann Hughes, 52, who was divorced, had been living on Borras Road, Wrexham, at the time of her death, had had considerable mobility issues for many years and was also on medication for depression.

Coroner John Gittins told the inquest at Wrexham Guildhall that Ms Hughes, who suffered from chronic pain and had felt socially isolated in recent times, was found dead at her home on July 9 and in the weeks prior to her death had been described by her doctor as being “the lowest I have seen her in 10 years”.

Mr Gittins added Ms Hughes, born in Bristol, had been very well supported by her family and friends throughout her life and although she had had “fleeting thoughts of suicide” in the past, she had a sense of humour which she often used as a way of expressing her pain.

A post-mortem examination carried out by Dr Mared Owen-Casey concluded that although Ms Hughes had died as a result of hanging, the level of anti-depressants found in her blood was at a level that would most likely have been fatal.

Concluding a death by suicide, Mr Gittins, coroner for North Wales East and Central, said: “It is clear that she would have known what she was doing, especially when taking into account the potentially fatal level of anti-depressants.”

He told family members: “What is clear is that she was very well supported by her family and friends and the reality is, there is nothing you could have done to stop this.

“She had been in significant pain, but she was cared for and loved.”