THE daughter of a woman who died after taking a combination of drugs has paid tribute to her ‘bubbly and kind-spirited’ nature.

Michele Christie died aged 55 at an address on West Way, Bolton on August 24 of last year.

She was found in a collapsed condition in the utility room by her daughter’s partner early in the morning. An ambulance was called but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

An inquest at Bolton Coroner’s Court revealed that Ms Christie, originally from Birmingham, had suffered with depression as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

She had been staying with her daughter for two-and-a-half years before her death.

Daughter Michaela White told the court: “I knew that mum had problems with drugs in the past but I didn’t think she took them any more.

“She was a bubbly, kind-hearted person who would do anything for anyone. She loved gardening, and watching crime shows on television.”

Michaela had a strict rule that drugs were not to be used in the house, so she was ‘shocked’ to find that her mother had been smoking drugs in her property.

Drug paraphernalia including a pipe and tin foil were also found at the scene after a search of the property had been conducted by Greater Manchester Police.

Pathologist Dr Pearson conducted the post mortem examination at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

He told the court that although the COPD played a significant part in her death, it was the drug use, which was found in the toxicology report, that proved fatal.

Assistant coroner Simon Nelson, who recorded a conclusion of drug-related death, told the court: “It is unfortunate that sadly, during parts of her life, she became involved in a cycle of drug abuse that can only have resulted in worsening any difficulties she may have been facing in her life.

“She would not have died were it not for the cocaine and opioid drugs that she used.”