Charles Bronson's wife found dead with 'white powder'

An actress who married notorious prisoner Charles Bronson was found unconscious on her bed with two bags of 'white powder' next to her, an inquest has heard.

Paula Williamson, 38, was discovered at home by her partner in Stoke-on-Trent on July 29, assistant coroner Sarah Murphy said.

'She was unconscious with vomit from her mouth and there were two small bags of white powder stuck to her,' she added.

Ms Williamson, who said last month she and Mr Bronson had applied to have their marriage annulled, had played minor roles in Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

She met the renowned criminal in prison in late 2016, and they were married in November 2017.

Staffordshire Police had previously confirmed the death was not suspicious.

Miss Murphy, sitting at Stoke and North Staffordshire Coroner's Court, saidMiss Williamson - also known as Paula Joy Salvador - had a previous history of 'anxiety and depression' and been through 'detox' last year.

She added: 'We do not have a cause of death.'

'Due to the circumstances, there is reason to suspect the death was unnatural, so an inquest will need to take place.'

The hearing was adjourned for a date to be set.