A widow whose life fell to pieces after her husband died took her own life a coroner ruled.

Depressed Susan Allen, 67, of Dodlee Lane, Huddersfield, began drinking excessively following the death of her husband Geoffrey in 2009.

A resumed inquest at Huddersfield Coroner’s Court heard a cleaner’s concerns triggered police action on February 7 when they forced entry to her home.

Assistant Coroner Mary Burke said: “She was found collapsed in the living room.

“She was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary with a very high level of Paracetamol.

Mrs Allen died the following day.

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary in Lindley

The court heard that her sister-in-law Dawn Allen reported that she had wanted to die after her husband died and she believed she was intent on taking her own life.

Coroner’s Officer Fiona Turner read out a report by Dr Tim Jackson which said she had previously tried to take her own life.

He gave the cause of death as multi-organ failure due to a Paracetamol overdose and alcohol cirrhosis.

Ms Burke said: “I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that she has undertaken an independent act of taking excessive Paracetamol with the intended consequence of ending her life.Although no written note was found at home that was Mrs Allen’s intention.

“No other explanation has been put forward.

“If she had not taken an excessive amount of Paracetamol she would not have died.”