A GRANDMOTHER who struggled with addiction and mental health issues was found dead in a static caravan in Holker, an inquest heard.

Amanda Srivastava died at a caravan park in Holker on October 9, 2020, at the age of 59, Cockermouth Coroner’s Court was told.

Police were called to the caravan park where the officers said rigor mortis had already set in once they got there.

A toxicology report listed a number of prescription drugs in her system which were found at a therapeutic level.

Pathologist Dr Sissons explained the drugs can lessen the effect of the natural gastric reflex of the body to remove liquids and food from the throat.

This led him to give a cause of death as aspiration pneumonia. which was triggered by inhalation of a gastric contents and the combined toxic effect of drugs.

Her partner Dr Srivastava said in a statement: “She loved looking after her granddaughter and would do so on a regular basis.

“Amanda suffered with addiction and mental health issues.

“Later on her mental health did start to deteriorate.

“I noticed a change in her symptoms once she was given prescription drugs.”

When asked what she was like the night before she died, Dr Srivastava said she was asleep from between 9pm and 10pm.

He explained that she had planned ahead with a trips to Dubai and Disney World, which were postponed, and was looking forward to watching the football in Liverpool once the season began again in 2021.

Area coroner Ms Kirsty Gomersal said this was a sign she did not plan to take her own life.

Psychiatric nurse Genevieve Kerr for North West Boroughs Healthcare – which is now Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust – explained that Mrs Srivastava was not deemed a risk to herself or others.

Natalie Pickles, who conducted the investigation into her treatment. told the court there were missed opportunities in her care but concluded that she 'received good care'.

She cited the pandemic for the reason there was delays in getting her a consultation with a psychiatrist.

The coroner was assured the trust had put measures in place to ensure lessons had been learnt and to make sure routine assessments are undertaken within six weeks.

The inquest continues.