An inquest into the death of a former beauty queen convicted of blackmailing an ex-international soccer star could be delayed by two years.

Carolyn Pick, 36, from Washington, Wearside, was found dead in the bathroom of St Luke's psychiatric hospital, in Middlesborough, on April 19.

She was under assessment at the secure unit while awaiting sentence, after being found guilty of blackmail after her trial at Newcastle Crown Court, in October last year.

Judge David Hodson yesterday formally registered her death with the court, after Miss Pick's sister, Doreen Walker, submitted a statement confirming that she had identified her sister's body.

But prosecutor Robert Woodcock told the court how an investigation into her death, and an official death certificate, may be delayed by as much as two years.

Mr Woodcock said: "This was a death in custody. Such matters are routinely the subject of extensive investigation. It has to take its turn in the queue of others.

"The coroner's office is troubled by a burden of several before it can deal with the investigation into the death of Caroline Margaret Pick."

The former Miss England contestant claimed to have made a tape of herself and the football star having telephone sex, and threatened to expose him.

She was due to be sentenced this month.