AN elderly woman found on her kitchen floor surrounded by cooking utensils and with a total of 21 injuries on her body died of natural causes, a coroner has ruled.

The body of Margaret Mulholland, 78, was discovered at her home in Valiant Way, Thornaby, Teesside, by her son, Peter, on February 6.

Police feared she had been attacked, but an investigation revealed it was more likely she died of ill health, a Teesside inquest heard yesterday.

Home office pathologist Dr Peter Cooper said the cause of death was hypothermia caused by an infarction of the intestine, which means the blood supply would have been restricted, causing it to die. The most probable cause is a blood clot because tests revealed there was no evidence Mrs Mulholland suffered from heart disease or a stroke.

Deputy coroner Gordon Hetherington said: "There were circumstances that required investigation because there was a certain amount of disturbance in the house.

"There is no evidence that anyone forced entry or any way injured this lady.

"The only reasonable explanation is that she suffered a catastrophic event, and this in itself has been the cause of death in many elderly people.

"The chances of this lady surviving were very slim indeed."

A verdict of natural causes was recorded.