Mother found dead in King’s Lynn died due to drug overdose

The body of Lucy Hodgson, 38, was found in King's Lynn on May 26, 2017, after her neighbour found her lying on the ground.

The mother of a then four-year-old is thought to have died due to a drug overdose; whether those drugs were prescribed or not cannot be determined.

Assistant coroner Joanna Thompson heard how Ms Hodgson had a 'stable and loving upbringing, and was a talented musician in her childhood.'

At the age of 17, she was diagnosed as a manic depressive and having a bipolar disorder.

Her parents Steven and Jeanette Hodgson said in a statement that: 'She was a butterfly, always moving between living at home and moving out.'

Ms Hodgson later moved to Australia for work reasons, where it is thought her partner's use of drugs are what began her own self-professed dependency on methamphetamine.

Following the collapse of her relationship, Ms Hodgson was arrested for drug-related incidents and spent time in custody.

At the end of her custody, she was immediately deported from Perth where she had lived for seven years.

Upon returning to King's Lynn in 2017 Ms Hodgson moved to a house of multiple occupancy in Courtnell Place, where her body was later found.

A housemate described her as: 'Hardworking. She seemed ill the last time I saw her, I asked if she was okay but she said she was fine.'

Her body was ultimately discovered after a housemate grew concerned having heard her mobile ringing, but to no answer for three days.

Having looked through they keyhole of her door, her neighbour saw her lying on the ground, and called for help.

Paramedics later pronounced her dead at the scene.

Mr and Mrs Hodgson said: 'She loved her son more than anything in the world. There is no way she would have taken her life without saying goodbye.'

Ms Thompsain concluded: 'Ms Hodgson's death was caused by opiate toxicity, there are no suspicious circumstances and no third parties involved.

'I would like to offer my condolence to her family.'