POLICE have found no evidence to suggest the death of a young mother earlier this year was suspicious.

Jenny Maddison, of No Place, near Stanley, County Durham, died at the University Hospital of North Durham on May 26 following a drug overdose.

The 25-year-old had been found unconscious in the rear yard of a property in John Street, No Place, the previous day, and four people were arrested at the scene on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.

Bruising on Miss Maddison’s body led police to question whether she had taken the drugs willingly.

But, at an inquest at Crook Coroners’ Court today, the senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Anna Phillips, said there was no evidence to support this theory.

“There is no evidence to suggest any third party involvement in Jennifer’s death,” she said.

“At the time, when the home office post-mortem was carried out, the pathologist looked for any needle marks that she could not have physically done herself and none were found.”

When asked by County Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle to expand on this and to summarise the findings of the investigation, DI Phillips added: “Jennifer took on board the drugs of her own free will rather than being forced to do so. There is no evidence to suggest otherwise.”

She said Miss Maddison, who had a young son, was a known user of class A drugs and had also been prescribed drugs.

The inquest heard the people arrested at the scene had denied any wrong doing and said they had no knowledge of Miss Maddison taking drugs in the house. No evidence was found to disprove their statements.

Mr Tweddle concluded Miss Maddison’s death was drug related.

At the time, her many friends expressed their shock and sadness.

Rebecca Wilson, from South Stanley, said Miss Maddison was like family, adding:

“She was a really good friend. She was a very nice lass. It is sad to see her go. A lot of people have been very hurt by it.”

Alex Ayton, a support worker who met Miss Maddison at college nine years ago, said: “She was one of the best girls I have ever known and well liked everywhere she went. She was always there for her friends and family.

“We used to go on nights out and did everything together.”