A 24-YEAR-old Ramsbottom woman found dead in bed with empty tablet containers and a note left nearby was suffering from an incurable and viciously destructive disease, a coroner was told.

Bury District coroner Barrie Williams opened the inquest into 24-year-old saleswoman Carolyn Louise Dunn, found at her home in Carrwood Hey, Ramsbottom, on February 28 by her parents.

The coroner heard that Carolyn had been diagnosed six months prior to her death with systemic lupus erythematosus, a chronic inflammatory disease of the tissues which attacks the skin and internal organs.

Coroner's officer Geoff Cave said the extremely debilitating disease progressed to "ruin" the internal organs and there was no known cure.

Carolyn had suffered depression and anxiety and was under the care of specialists at North Manchester General Hospital.

Her parents, with whom she lived, had gone away for the weekend and when they returned the house was in darkness and the doors locked.

Mr Cave said CID enquiries confirmed no evidence of third party involvement or foul play.

The coroner adjourned the hearing for the results of further medical inquiries.

Lupus is believed to be an autoimmune response to sunlight, infection or some other cause and is characterised by patches on the skin.

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