A CORONER has recorded an open verdict at an inquest into the death of a former Oxford University worker.

Rebecca Stetz was discovered collapsed in a wardrobe in her bedroom at Morrell Avenue, Oxford, on November 4 last year, after a neighbour called police.

An inquest at Oxford Coroners’ Court heard Ms Stetz, who had a history of mental illness, had a lethal amount of barbiturates in her blood and was clutching a birthday card from her mother when she was found.

The 36-year-old was a chemistry graduate at St Hilda’s College, where she also secured a PhD, and between 2003 and 2006 she worked as a personal assistant to the head of chemistry at Oxford University.

Reports by consultant psychiatrist Dr Susan Shaw, read at the inquest, showed Ms Stetz had been to Warneford Hospital suffering depression and anxiety on numerous occasions, but was not in their care when she died.

Neighbour Herbert Payne said Ms Stetz, originally from the USA, had not been seen for two weeks.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner ruled out suspicious circumstances, but passed an open verdict.

He said: “It may be she took barbiturates with the intention of taking her own life but a coroner has to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt and has to hear positive evidence there was intention. Both are lacking in this case.”