AN INQUEST into the death of a woman found that she could not cope without her twin sister who died two years previously.

Sheila Veronica Greenhalgh, 54, of Wilmot Street, Smithills, Bolton, was found unresponsive at home on the morning of November 17 2019 and pronounced dead at 10.45am.

The inquest conducted by the senior coroner for Manchester West, Alan Walsh, at Bolton Coroner’s court on Tuesday, described the cause of death as suicide.

Statements were read by Mr Walsh from family, friends, and medical professionals who knew Sheila, as well as evidence from post-mortem reports and police.

A statement by her brother, Paul Greenhalgh, read by Mr Walsh, described how Sheila was a great character and a “person who had many friends”.

She had a close relationship with her twin, Frances Greenhalgh. Mr Greenhalgh described them as, “like a double act. They did everything together.”

Frances died in April 2017, which an inquest decided was also the result of suicide. Sheila received counselling after Frances died as she began suffering mental health troubles.

As a result of Frances’ death Sheila cared for her mother and father, and after her father became ill, her mental condition seemed to worsen, with Mr Greenhalgh stating that, “Sheila barely spoke”.

Mr Greenhalgh also said: “Sheila never got over the death of her sister”. Although she had never openly discussed taking her own life, the circumstances of her death and letters found at her home on that morning made it clear that she intended to end her life that day.

A friend of Sheila’s, David Butler, also had a statement read, having been with her much of the day before her death.

He described how he supported Sheila after Frances’ death, but how she “never returned to normality” after it.

Mr Butler and Patrick Greenhalgh, Sheila’s brother, went to her house on the morning of her death as they could not reach her on the phone, with Patrick finding her unresponsive in her bedroom.

Mr Butler also believed it was clear she intended ending her life, disclosing how Sheila and Frances shared spiritual beliefs that they would be together in an afterlife.

Dr Ali Omed, of Heaton Medical Centre, confirmed Sheila had been seen regarding mental health issues.

Post mortem tests carried out by toxicologist Julie Evans confirmed fatal levels of codeine in her blood with her cause of death confirmed to be suicide due to a toxic level of the drug.