AN elderly Wrexham woman died after taking more than therapeutic levels of paracetamol, an inquest heard.

Recording a conclusion of misadventure, coroner for North Wales East and Central John Gittins said he was satisfied that Beryl Davies, 93, of Grove Lodge Close, off Foster Road, had not intended to take her own life in July of last year.

At the inquest at Wrexham’s Guildhall, Mr Gittins told Mrs Davies’ son Kenneth: “This isn’t a suicide quite frankly in my opinion. I don’t believe she died because she took too many tablets.”

Mrs Davies, originally from Wallasey and Hoylake where she was orphaned at a young age and had to bring up her younger siblings, had been looking into private care so she could continue to live at her own home.

The retired auxiliary nurse had been worried about her failing eyesight and becoming more frail.

She was admitted to the emergency department at Wrexham Maelor Hospital on July 21 last year after taking paracetamol and drinking sherry, both of which she did regularly to help her sleep.

She was admitted to Flemming Ward and, the following day, her health deteriorated considerably and she passed away.

A post-mortem report showed no evidence of an acute event like a stroke or heart attack, and there was no underlying cancer.

It added that the levels of paracetamol must have combined with some “obscure morbidity” to result in Mrs Davies’ death.

Mr Gittins said the paracetamol may have “tipped her over the edge and her body has said that’s enough”.

He recorded a conclusion of misadventure.