LATEST: An inquest into the death of PAULA YATES, has revealed that the former TV presenter died of a heroin overdose.

The hearing at WESTMINSTER CORONERS COURT ruled that MICHAEL HUTCHENCE's former lover Yates, who was found dead in her West London home on 17 September (00), died of non-dependent abuse of drugs, specifically heroin.

Coroner DR PAUL KNAPMAN ruled out suicide but spoke of BOB GELDOF's ex-wife's "foolish and incautious" behaviour, adding that her use of the drug was that of "an unsophisticated taker of heroin". The mother-of-four's body contained a level of 0.3mg of morphine per litre of blood. Had she been a habitual user of heroin, this amount would not have been enough to kill her.

A post-mortem by pathologist, DR Ian West, didn't reveal any evidence of drug addiction such as injection marks. The inquest has been adjourned pending further tests. (RGS/WNWCQ)

Source: WENN