A teenager found dead from a drug overdose had been advised to seek help for her addiction just days earlier, a coroner has heard.

Kelly Traynor, 19, who lived with friends in Royal Court, Laindon, had a cocktail of drugs in her body when she died - including cocaine, morphine and heroin.

Initially, seven people were arrested in connection with her death but all were released without charge when it became clear nobody else was involved.

Chelmsford Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded an open verdict and said: "How very, very tragic that she should die in this way."

Kelly had been released from prison just two weeks' earlier, and had suffered a suspected heart attack in the days leading up to her death.

Mrs Beasley-Murray heard Kelly was advised by hospital doctors to seek psychiatric advice for her drug abuse following a near-fatal heart attack.

Coral Taylor, of Royal Court, said Kelly often visited her or her partner Peter Turrant.

Kelly allegedly obtained prescription drugs from Mr Turrant, who was arrested by police on suspicion of murdering Miss Traynor but freed without charge.

Miss Taylor told how Mr Turrant was called to Kelly's flat. He said that on arriving, he was hit on the head from behind and collapsed to the floor. On regaining consciousness, he knocked on nearby doors for help.

He said he had been attacked and that Kerry was unwell.

An ambulance crew treated Mr Turrant's gashed head and fractured hand and found Kelly's body.

Patholigist David Rouse said that a post mortem showed Kelly had died of opiate poisoning and indicated nobody else was involved.

Kelly's parents, of Salesbury Drive, Billericay, declined to comment.

Published Friday, May 23, 2003

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