A WOMAN suffering from severe backache accidentally killed herself by taking too many painkillers, an inquest heard.

Police initially launched an investigation after former legal executive Hayley Moore, 27, was found dead in a top-floor flat in Clovelly Road, Southampton.

But her death was ruled not to be suspicious after tests showed she had taken a large overdose.

Miss Moore had consumed several times the prescribed dose of a strong “opiatelike”

drug called oxycodone, Southampton Coroner’s Court was told.

Pathologist Jeffrey Theaker said she died from a combination of pneumonia and the overdose.

He said she would have appeared to have been in an exceptionally deep sleep but was actually lapsing into a coma.

Miss Moore, of Ludlow Road, Southampton, used to work for a Winchester firm of solicitors but was forced to give up work after injuring her back mowing the lawn, the inquest heard.

Coroner Keith Wiseman said: “There is absolutely nothing to indicate that Hayley intended to kill herself.

“The overdose was very high but I’m not led in that particular direction.

“Hayley may have been in very significant pain and felt she had to take a lot of tablets in one go.

“I imagine that in time of very considerable pain many people take more medication than they should.

“All drugs are dangerous and enormous care is required, especially in the case of strong drugs. Non-conformity with the prescribed dose can result in serious and tragic consequences.”

Det Con Martin Timmis, of Bitterne CID, said police sealed off the flat and conducted house-to-house inquiries after Miss Moore was found dead on a mattress on August 7.

He added that she suffered from insomnia as well as back pain and took a large amount of medication for the two conditions.

Mr Wiseman recorded a verdict of accidental death.