Julie Dawkins died of liver failure (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Julie Dawkins died of liver failure

4:50pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in Local By Chris Gregory

A DRINKER who struggled to get over the loss of her husband died of liver failure.

Julie Dawkins, 62, was found dead on a sofa in the living room of her home in Bow Grove, Hook, on Monday, June 11. An inquest in Alton heard it had not been established exactly when she died.

A post-mortem found that Mrs Dawkins had a fatty and damaged liver, which was indicative of drinking alcohol over many years.

A statement written by her sister Lyn Wright, who lives in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was read out at the inquest.

She said that Mrs Dawkins had moved to Hook in the mid 1980s, and ended up being a carer for her husband John, who later died of cirrhosis of the liver.

The couple had no children and Mrs Dawkins lived alone for the rest of her life.

Mrs Wright added: “She had lifestyle issues and drinking was a part of that. Contact was minimal and I would leave messages but they were not returned. I believe she never really got over John’s death.”

The inquest heard that police opened up Mrs Dawkins house after being contacted by Mrs Wright.

Andrew Bradley, coroner for North East Hampshire, recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

He said: “I have the GP records that confirm the situation, certainly the grieving after her husband’s death.

“She just seems to have given up.”