A SALISBURY mother, described as “one in a million”, was found dead in her home following a drug overdose, an inquest heard.

Sonia Wright, aged 38, was found by her mother in her flat in the Collingwood Mews area of Bemerton Heath on February 24 last year, after consuming tablets which were “potentially fatal to overdose”, Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court was told.

Sonia had been prescribed tablet-form morphine medication for a number of health conditions, but there was no indication she wanted to take her own life, the inquest heard.

In a statement read out by Katherine Baker, major crime investigator for Wiltshire Police, she told the court that Sonia and her daughter were in the city centre the previous evening, but after several exchanged text messages with friend Ricky Drewitt, Sonia returned to her own flat with him at around 11.30pm.

According to a statement from Mr Drewitt, read out by by assistant coroner Ian Singleton, the pair had smoked cannabis and drank cider that night, and Sonia “did not feel well so went to bed”.

The following day, February 24, Sonia’s mother Rita tried ringing her 14 times before going to the flat around 1pm, where she found Sonia on the floor, Ms Baker said.

Rita then sought the help of a neighbour to provide CPR while waiting for the ambulance service to arrive, which pronounced Sonia dead at the scene at around 2.50pm.

It was heard that Mr Drewitt had left the scene on February 24 before paramedics arrived, described by neighbours as “stumbling from the flat”.

A police investigation concluded that Mr Drewitt was not at fault for Sonia’s death.

Coroner Mr Singleton described the morphine tablets as “potentially fatal to overdose,” adding: “Sonia’s drugs in [her] system were at such a quantity that led to her death”.

It was also heard that Sonia’s health was also affected by alcohol, and she was told her drinking habits could cause her death, according to a written statement from former partner, Graham Bowditch.

But Mr Singleton did not deem this to be the case and a conclusion of a drug-related death was recorded.

As previously reported, a tribute statement from Sonia’s family said: “Sonia was one in a million, and we’re not just saying that because of her sad passing.

“She truly was a loyal friend, good mum, loving daughter and a great cousin and lovely niece.

“She was loved by many and will be sadly missed by all.”

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