A MOTHER found dead surrounded by nine sherry bottles was mourning the death of her husband and had a long history of drug and alcohol abuse, an inquest heard.

Rebecca Heels, of Margaret Road, Headington, was found in her flat on January 15, but had not been seen for a number of days.

Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court was told the 44-year-old, who had a 10-year-old daughter, had a history of health problems, including epilepsy.

Her mother Paulette O’Farrell, said: “She hadn’t taken drugs for a number of years, but after her husband died she did start drinking quite heavily.”

A statement from Mrs Heels’ GP said her husband, Alan, had committed suicide in 2002.

Pathologist Dr Ian Roberts said Mrs Heels’ post-mortem tests proved negative for drugs, but there was 420mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, which he said was “well within the range of fatality”.

He gave the cause of death as alcohol abuse.

Det Con John Linsdell said he found Mrs Heels lying on her side near her sofa in a flat he described as showing “considerable signs of disarray”.

He added: “There were nine empty sherry bottles in the area around her.”

Coroner Dr Nicholas Gardiner, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, said: “It appears to me she had gone on a drinking binge. I have no reason to consider she took her own life.”