AN inquest has heard how a Carlisle family tried to help one of their members who had learning difficulties and mental health issues.

Samantha Jane Taylor (known as Sam), 38, died at her home in Shady Grove, Carlisle, on September 19, 2021.

At an inquest in Cockermouth on Thursday, coroner Margaret Taylor said to Miss Taylor's family: "You all tried to help her, you were a close family, but you can only do so much.

"Sadly life events lead her down a difficult path."

The inquest heard that Miss Taylor was one of six children. The coroner heard statements from her mother, Christine Taylor, step father, Michael McMillan, and sister, Kelly Taylor.

She lived with them all, also her brother David Taylor, at various points in adulthood.

In a statement, Mrs Taylor said her daughter had learning difficulties and could not read or write. She had struggled at school but went to James Rennie School aged 13 and 'loved attending there'.

She left at 16 but was unable to work because of her learning difficulties, said Mrs Taylor.

She moved in with a man who the family later discovered was sexually abusing her, said Mrs Taylor. "He also supplied her with alcohol," she said.

She moved out and, following a relationship with another man, went on to have a son, who had some health problems and was taken into foster care.

Her GP at Carlisle Health said Miss Taylor had a 'complex medical history' including anxiety and depression. She also had a history of alcohol dependence.

The anti-depressant venlafaxine was one of the medications she had been prescribed.

Miss Taylor was close to her sister, Kelly, who saw her most days, the inquest heard. She was with her on September 17 - and is thought to have been the last person to see Miss Taylor.

"I spent most of the day with Sam, she seemed a bit poorly. I said she needed to eat more and look after herself," said Kelly.

Kelly was unwell the following day so unable to visit. When she called in the following day she found her sister unresponsive and called for help.

Paramedics attended and confirmed she was deceased.

A toxicology report revealed a 'very high level' of venlafaxine. A post mortem gave the medical cause of death as venlafaxine intoxication. Contributing to this was liver damage.

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In her summing up, the coroner said: "I have heard Sam was a happy, healthy young child.

"She was very close to her grandmother and lived with her for a period of time.

"Following grandma's death, she moved in with a man we have not named. He obviously was not good for her and clearly abused her. This negatively affected her mental health."

Having her son taken into care "negatively impacted her as she wanted to be a mum", said Ms Taylor.

"At some stage she appeared to stop drinking and for a time she lived with her mum, sister and brother.

"She then registered herself as homeless and went to live at the address where she sadly died."

When Kelly discovered her sister unresponsive "the family all went round and did what they could but it was too late, she had clearly been dead for a period of time", said the coroner.

"Sam had a history of depression but nothing indicates she was thinking of taking her own life.

"You have given me information about her taking tablets and not keeping track. She suffered from learning difficulties, this is important in understanding why she took so many tablets.

"She had a history of alcohol liver damage and poor mental health."

Ms Taylor concluded her death was drug/alcohol related and offered condolences to her son and family.

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