A WOMAN has died after her heroin abuse led to an infection and septic shock.

Zara McDowell, of Waylen Street, Reading, was admitting to Royal Berkshire Hospital on September 10 last year with an acute state of streptococcal infection which was causing septic shock.

This was due to the 37-year-olds heroin abuse which led to her health deteriorating to the point where she suffered persistent emboli in her lower torso.

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She sadly died the following day at the hospital.

An inquest heard her medical cause of death was given as group c streptococcal sepsis, infected thromboembolic disease and cavitating pneumonia, and chronic intravenous heroin use.

Assistant coroner Ian Wade concluded the cause of death as drug related.