Police probe care home death after barbiturate find

An elderly widow who died in a Lancashire care home was found to have traces of a rare barbiturate in her system.

- by Aimee Seddon

An inquest at Preston Coroner's Court was unable to establish whether Sheila Shuttleworth took it - or was given the drug.

Area coroner Emma Mather recorded a narrative conclusion at a hearing into the death of Mrs Shuttleworth, who died at Meadowfield House care home in Fulwood.

The cause of death was recorded as an overdose.

The coroner was told toxicology tests revealed traces of phenobarbital, which was not prescribed to her and not kept in the care home.