Ex-beauty queen died after alcohol abuse

A former Black Country beauty queen who used to welcome members of pop sensation Take That into her home died after a long battle with alcoholism, a coroner ruled.

Black Country coroner Mr Robin Balmain recorded a verdict of death as a result of abuse of a dependent drug at Dudley Coroners Court on Helen Baker, who won the Miss Stourbridge Crystal title in 1995.

Mother-of-one Miss Baker, aged 35, of Ragees Road, Kingswinford, was found dead at home on December 18, an inquest heard.

Her mother, Margaret, who has taken in Miss Baker's daughter, Saskia, 10, said yesterday they knew of her drinking for about six years but only realised the extent after her death.

She said bank statements over 12 months showed Miss Baker got through about one 1.5litre bottle of vodka a day.

She was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy — or nerve damage — in August 2009, which left her partially disabled. Pathologist Dr Sixto Batitang said her liver was five times the size of a normal, healthy one and had been hard, which was a common symptom of cirrhosis.

Tests showed traces of anti-depressants, paracetamol and codeine but none high enough to be considered toxic. The level of alcohol in her body was 92mg per 100ml of blood — slightly over the maximum legal driving limit of 80mg.

"The only thing I can put her death down to is that she went into acute liver failure. All of that can be traced back to having abused alcohol for such a long time," he said.

Friends previously said she dated a friend of Robbie Williams and became friendly with the star and other Take That members, who would call at her home.

Her mother said that despite numerous attempts to put her through rehab, Helen always found an excuse. "I think she did want to give up alcohol, but I just don't think she had the strength," she added.