Lewes mum died from heroin use after lung surgery

Melanie Iveson, of Weald Close, was described as ‘bubbly’ and ‘a little bit crazy but in a good way’ at the inquest on Thursday (August 20).

The 62-year-old had struggled with addiction most of her life and also had a series of serious health issues, the court at Eastbourne Town Hall heard.

Her daughter Stephanie Love said in a statement: “From the outside, my mum was bubbly, quick-witted and funny. 
“Most people liked her and thought she was a little bit crazy but in a good way.”

But she said: “To those who did know her, she was a person who had a lot of self doubt, low confidence, and guilt from the mistakes she had made in her past.

“I know she struggled with addiction since the age of 21. She’d been clean a few times and relaxed a few times.

“She had a lot of shame about it.”

The inquest heard in April this year Melanie had an operation to remove a cancerous tumour in her lung.

While the operation was successful, she developed pneumonia and died a week after being discharged from London Bridge Hospital.

Police were called to Melanie’s home in the Landport area of Lewes at around 5.30am on May 17. It appeared she had died in her sleep, the inquest heard.

A toxicology report found she had heroin in her bloodstream.

Her daughter’s statement said: “I believe mum died as a result of her thinking she could take opiates in a way she did before, and her body couldn’t cope any more.

“She didn’t take her health quite seriously enough. I don’t think she cared if she lived or died.”

Commenting on the post mortem report, Alan Craze said: “Without the operation which left her in a frailer state she wouldn’t have died.”

He said: “This is a complete tragedy, a lot of her life is a complete tragedy.

“The sad thing is, once you start using heroin, knowing it’s addictive – but you might not realise quite how addictive it is.

“You then get yourself into a lifestyle and can’t get out of it.

“You are playing Russian roulette with your life every single time you take it.”

Mr Craze recorded a narrative conclusion, finding Melanie died from heroin use after a serious lung operation.

He expressed his condolences to her family.

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