Mother died from paracetamol overdose, inquest hears
A mother from Penkridge died from a paracetamol overdose after suffering for more than 40 years with mental health issues, an inquest heard.
Judith Cheetham took an overdose at her home in Brook Close in December last year.
An inquest held at Cannock Coroner's Court on Tuesday, heard that the body of the 69 year old was found by a psychiatric nurse during a planned visit on December 8.
When Ms Cheetham did not answer the door, the worker let himself into the property and found notes at the foot of the door, up the staircase and at the bathroom door warning of carbon monoxide fumes.
The nurse then found her body in the bedroom.
The farewell notes scattered around her home were addressed to members of her family, the hearing was told.
DC Mark Bailey, from Staffordshire CID, attended the scene and told the inquest that one of the notes found disclosed that she planned to take the pills.
The inquest also heard from Alison Blofield, consultant nurse and clinical director for the South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Mrs Blofield said Ms Cheetham had been known to the services for 'a very long time' and had received 'a lot of consistent support'.
She suffered from bipolar affective disorder and had been admitted to hospital twice in 2014 following self harm and suicidal behaviours.
Ms Cheetham was last known to be alive on December 4 when she had spoken to a social worker.
Andrew Haigh, senior coroner for Staffordshire South, said: "I am satisfied that Judy intended to kill herself. She was of poor mental health for a number of years. Her condition fluctuated and in her final years she had problems with her physical health."
The cause of death was recorded as paracetamol overdose and Mr Haigh gave the verdict as suicide while suffering from bipolar disorder.
