A WOMAN who was being “harassed” by her bank over debt problems took a drug overdose at a Loudwater hotel chosen “at random”, an inquest heard.

Caroline Conroy-Smith was found dead in her room at the Papermill Premier Inn by staff on Sunday December 12 after taking codeine, morphine, paracetamol and ibuprofen.

The 44-year-old’s husband, Russell, told the Amersham inquest she had money worries and was becoming stressed working long hours while trying to set up her own business.

He said: “Unbeknown to me she had some money worries. I knew nothing about that and it went back many years. I found out in June 2010.

“We borrowed money and repaid the debt but the Bank of Scotland continued to send further letters with increased debt amounts. We received calls about outstanding debts which we had already paid.

“I was unaware of this harassment. It only came to my attention after she passed away. They recognised they made errors and have made a financial donation to our children’s trust fund.”

He told the inquest he last saw his wife at their home in Whitegates Close, Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, early in the morning of December 11 when he left to take his son to a football match.

Mrs Conroy-Smith left a note at the couple’s home, and her mother drove to the football match to alert her husband to it. He said it was “a surprise” to see her there.

Mr Conroy-Smith told the inquest he did not know she chose to go to the Papermill but suggested she may have stopped there while driving to Oxford to see a friend.

She was found in her room by housekeeper Monika Kliss, who told police staff were unable to find a pulse.

Hotel manager David Wells said: “It was clear there was nothing they could do so they didn’t try anything.”

Records from the key card used to get into Mrs Conroy-Smith’s room show nobody entered or left the room after 3.05pm until the housekeeper’s card was used at 11.35am the following day. Suicide notes were found in the room, the inquest heard.

Paying tribute to Mrs Conroy-Smith, her husband said: “She was a dedicated daughter, sister and mother and a good friend to many and always willing to assist others.

“Her passing has left us broken hearted. She was a truly beautiful person in every way and we miss her.”

Recording a verdict that Mrs Conroy-Smith took her own life, coroner Richard Hulett said: “The reasoning behind it seems to be out of all proportion to the outcome, especially the loss to all members of the family.

“The choice of location is almost random.”