A WOMAN with a history of mental illness killed herself with a massive overdose of painkillers, an inquest heard yesterday.

Jessica Sullivan, 52, suffered acute liver failure after she swallowed about 80 paracetamol tablets at her home in Allendale Road, Ormesby, Middlesbrough.

Teesside Coroners Court heard that she had a history of depression, schizophrenic episodes and had attempted suicide several times before.

On September 7, 2001, Mrs Sullivan was taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital after police broke into her home when relatives reported not hearing from her for several days.

Suffering from acute liver failure, she was later transferred to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, where consultants and family members decided against a liver transplant.

She died on September 10 from the effects of the massive intake of pills.

Anthony Eastwood, assistant deputy coroner for Teesside, recorded she had taken her own life.