A SOUTHAMPTON student died following an epileptic fit after a night out with friends, an inquest heard.

It was likely that 21-year-old Southampton Institute student Erica Bartlett died two days before her body was found at the home she shared with five other students in Wilton Avenue, The Polygon, the hearing was told.

Erica and her housemates had gone out in Southampton on Thursday, April 29 to celebrate a friend's birthday.

PC Adam Edwards, who was called to the scene following the discovery of Erica's body, told an inquest in Southampton how statements confirmed that she had been drinking alcohol before leaving the house and again at a nightclub.

When they returned to the house in the early hours of the morning, one of her housemates, who had given up his own room for a relative, slept on the floor of Erica's room.

She woke him in the morning and then stayed in bed while he left for work.

On his return later that day he looked into her room and assumed she was asleep. He shut the door without speaking.

Most of the housemates were in the house but did not see Erica all weekend and assumed she had gone away.

But on the Sunday evening, following a call from Erica's best friend who was worried at not having heard from her, one of the housemates went into her room. Unable to rouse her, they called an ambulance. She was pronounced dead immediately.

Erica had suffered from epilepsy since the age of four. She also had a congenital heart defect.

Pathologist Jeffrey Theaker said a post-mortem examination revealed that she had bruising to her tongue, and explained that epileptics often lose control of their mouth during a fit and bite their tongue.

He explained that the effects of epilepsy can be exacerbated by alcohol consumption.

Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, coroner Keith Wiseman said: "It is self evident what a tragedy this has been.

"The loss of life of someone this young is an especially tragic event"

Following the inquest, one of Erica's housemates, Chris Lambert, 22, said: "She was a bubbly and lively girl. It has been very difficult for everyone.

"At the house we are reminded of it everyday when we go past her room."