AN ALRESFORD woman died after 30 years of battling alcohol and drug misuse.

Deborah Kramers, of Broad Street, was found dead at her home on May 18 last year.

An inquest at Winchester Coroners’ Court on Wednesday, August 2 ruled that there was no third-party involvement.

However, a toxic relationship in which an “on and off” partner would post cocaine through her door and use her bank card was likely to have led to her fatal relapse, the inquest heard.

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Ms Kramers, 52, best known as Lou, had more than three times the drink drive limit for alcohol when examined at post-mortem. 

The autopsy report showed she had bruises, most likely caused when she was inebriated, typical of someone uncoordinated and stumbling into things.

Coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp said: “There was a missed opportunity to engage. I’m not suggesting it would have made a difference but the police consistently tried for her to be taken in and be under somebody’s care.”

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A statement read out by the coroner from mental health nurse Kim Hughes showed that Ms Kramers had had five relapses in five years and was drinking every day.

The 52-year-old, who managed her family’s loose-leaf tea business, also had a history of mental health problems.

Close friend Kerry-Ann Bailey, who cleaned Ms Kramer’s flat, was with her daughter, brother and a PCSO, when they entered the flat.

Speaking at the inquest, Ms Bailey said: “I knew Lou for about a year, we were really good friends.

“She was lovely, really lovely. There was Lou and then the Lou who was addicted to alcohol. She didn’t want to be like that. She was a pleasure to be around when she was clean."

Concluding, Mrs Rhodes-Kemp said: “Lou Kramer was an intelligent, articulate person who was addicted to alcohol. She got into a very bad relationship which did not help her detox efforts.”

The coroner said she would be following up with Hampshire’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for a full investigation into whether more support could have been given.

  • For help with alcohol issues call Alcoholics Anonymous for free on 0800 9177 650, or email help@aamail.org, or go to alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
  • If you are experiencing feelings of distress or isolation, or are struggling to cope, call Samaritans for free anytime on 116123, or go to samaritans.org/