Speight fiancee killed by drug mix

A lethal cocktail of cocaine, alcohol and sleeping pills killed Wolverhampton-born television presenter Mark Speight's fiancee, an inquest heard today.

It also emerged Natasha Collins suffered 60 per cent burns to her body after immersing herself in a bath of scalding hot water.

The combination of drink and drugs coupled with the burns resulted in her death, said Westminster coroner Paul Knapham who ruled a verdict of misadventure.

The court heard the couple had partied the night before the 31-year-old's body was discovered by Speight in the bath at their home in St John's Wood, London, on January 3.

Former Tettenhall College pupil Speight, aged 42, best-known for presenting CBBC art show SMart, arrived at Westminster Coroner's Court with Miss Collins' mother Carmen.

He confirmed the couple had both taken cocaine, a sleeping pill each and had consumed vodka and wine. Traces of these were found during a post-mortem examination of Miss Collins' body.

Mr Knapham said Miss Collins got up and ran herself a bath. "It is more likely than not she had some heart problem when in the bath that caused her to lose consciousness and unfortunately she had the hot tap going," he added.