A woman whose death became the subject of a police investigation was found at the bottom of stairs at home with multiple injuries, an inquest opening was told.

Durham Constabulary has now said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of 48-year-old Jacqueline Ross.

Emergency services were called at teatime on February 27 to Craddock Street in Spennymoor and the street was cordoned off by police.

Read more: Detectives question suspect arrested after woman dies at house in County Durham

The Northern Echo:

A 50-year-old was arrested by officers and bailed pending further inquiries.

On Tuesday, as an inquest into Ms Ross’s death was opened, the force confirmed he is not facing any criminal charges.

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: “The man who was arrested has been released with no further action and we are satisfied there are no suspicious circumstances to this death.”

Read more: Police investigate incident on Craddock Street

The inquest was opened on Tuesday at Crook Coroner's Court by Jeremy Chipperfield, Senior Coroner for County Durham, and adjourned.

In an opening statement, Tim Gilks a coroner's officer employed by Durham County Council, said: “I understand the circumstances to be that she was found at the bottom of the stairs in her home address with multiple injuries.”

Ms Ross, who was born in Motherwell, Scotland, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard a post-mortem examination carried out at the RVI in Newcastle by Dr Nigel Cooper gave the cause of death as being ‘unascertained pending further investigation’.