A HEARTBROKEN family have paid tribute to their “much loved” sister after she died falling from a Southampton flat window.

Donna Gillmoore, 44, died following a fall from her flat window after she locked herself out and tried to regain entry.

Details of the incident were revealed at an inquest opened into her death.

Her family have since paid tribute to her, stating that they will “always love her”.

They added that Ms Gillmoore "suffered a lot" and found life "hard".

A GP report revealed that Ms Gillmoore suffered with depression and addiction.

Ian Earnshaw, Donna’s brother, told the Daily Echo on behalf of the family: “Donna was very much loved even through her hard times.

“She suffered a lot and dealt with it the way Donna dealt with stuff.

“She was our sister and will always be loved no matter how hard she found life she was always there if we were stuck or needed her.

“Me and my sister’s will love [her] forever. Rest in peace.”

The inquest heard how Ms Gillmoore had fallen from the first-storey of her flat block on Belmont Road in Southampton.

South Central Ambulance Service were called to her address on June 28 at around 8.53am.

Reports state that she had “taken heroin and cocaine earlier that day” and became locked out of her home.

In an attempt to get back into her flat, Ms Gillmoore tried to climb up the flats and enter through her window.

Ms Gillmoore fell backwards onto concrete and hit her head. She was taken to Southampton General Hospital by paramedics.

Ms Gillmoore was in hospital for five days where she deteriorated due to her injuries.

Despite being "fully alert and conscious" at time of admission she later had a seizure and suffered repertory arrest, according to a University Hospital Southampton neurosurgeon. On July 4, she died at hospital.

A post mortem revealed that Ms Gillmoore has swelling and bruising of the brain as well as fractures of the spine and early signs of bronchopneumonia.

The coroner ruled that Ms Gillmoore's death was caused by misadventure.