Dead woman was clutching toy cat (From Somerset County Gazette)

Dead woman was clutching toy cat

6:05pm Tuesday 9th January 2007 in News By Chris Alder

A MINEHEAD woman who took her own life was found clutching a toy cat, an inquest has heard.

Rosetta Buckley, 87, of Hawthorn Road, in the town, died on September 10 after an overdose of painkillers containing dextropropoxyphene.

West Somerset coroner Michael Rose brought in a verdict that she had taken her own life while the balance of her mind was disturbed.

Mrs Buckley's son, David Buckley, of Causeway Terrace, Watchet, said his mother suffered from arthritis, and had a fall.

"It was felt she ought to have gone into a care home.

"Her ability to look after herself was getting less and less," he said.

He added: "She never mentioned suicide."

Mr Rose said: "The pain of rheumatoid arthritis was becoming too much."