A WOMAN with a history of drug use died after taking pain relief medication following a recent assault, an inquest heard.

Lesley Little, 54, was discovered dead at her home in Carlisle on May 4 after her sister had been unable to get in touch with her.

Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard police officers were asked to conduct a welfare check on Ms Little due to concerns raised by her sister, who had not seen her since April 23.

Officers forced entry and found Ms Little dead on the sofa, surrounded by blister packs of gabapentin medication.

Her family believed she was taking medication for pain relief following a recent assault.

Ms Little had a history of drug dependency, mental health problems and suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Paying tribute to Ms Little, her family said she was a ‘happy’ person who had a heart of gold. She loved her family, especially her nieces and nephews. She was ‘kind’ and ‘loving’, especially when ‘she was in a good place, mentally’.

She grew up in Carlisle and had lived in Scotland and later Devon, before moving back to Carlisle. She had worked as a cleaner.

A toxicology report showed Ms Little had two painkillers in her system, which had ‘probably’ been taken to assist with pain relief.

The cause of death was dihydrocodeine and gabapentin toxicity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Margaret Taylor, assistant coroner for Cumbria, concluded that Ms Little died by misadventure.

Turning to Ms Little’s family, the coroner said: “I’m sorry you have lost her. I hope as time moves on you can remember the positive aspects of her.”