THE sister of “lotto lout” Michael Carroll died after a cocaine binge on the day of her cousin’s funeral, an inquest heard.
Zoe Carroll, 43, was found slumped on the sofa at her home in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, on May 4 by her two children.
East Anglia News ServiceZoe Carroll was found dead at her home[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationShe was the sister of ‘lotto lout’ Michael Carroll[/caption]
An inquest heard how the teens tried to resuscitate their mum before paramedics arrived but she was tragically declared dead shortly after.
A post mortem gave a cause of death as cardiac arrest due to cocaine use.
Mum-of-four Zoe was given £1million by her younger brother when he won almost £10million on the National Lottery in 2002.
Her mum Kim McCleary told the inquest she believed her daughter had been taking drugs due to stresses in her life, rather than for recreational reasons.
Zoe, who had previously battled cervical cancer, had a string of medical issues and had lost a kidney.
On the day of her death, she was holding a party for friends following the funeral of her cousin Michael Wells.
The mum said: “I was informed that they were drinking alcohol and taking cocaine. She had friends around to grieve and celebrate his life.”
Kim said she received a phonecall later from one of her daughter’s friends telling her: “Get here now. Zoe is unresponsive”.
When the mum arrived, she found police and paramedics at the home.
Her grandchildren told her they had found their mum asleep on the sofa and attempted CPR when she did not wake up.
Kim added: “She was stressed about many things. She was struggling to provide for her children, stressed about an upcoming operation and my cousin’s passing.”
The inquest heard a small trace of “white powder” was found in Zoe’s kitchen by police.
Norfolk senior coroner Jacqueline Lake ruled Zoe died from a drug related death.
She said: “Zoe had fallen asleep on the sofa at around midday and slept through her alarm which was unusual. Emergency services were called and she was pronounced dead.
“There is evidence of drug use in the period before her death, and toxicology tests found use of cocaine.”
Former binman Carroll was 19 when he scooped the jackpot and was later branded the “lotto lout” for his outlandish antics.
The winner, now 40, blew millions on drugs, alcohol and flash cars as he styled himself as the “King of the Chavs”.
But his downward spiral and cocaine-fuelled orgies with prostitutes and “hangers-on” caused wife Sandra to walk out.
After the pair reconciled in 2021, Carroll settled down by picking up menial labour jobs – including lugging logs for £10-an-hour.
Speaking after today’s hearing, mum Kim said: “Michael and Zoe were very close. They were like two peas in a pod.
“I speak to him every day. He is fine, but he has not taken her death very well.”
East Anglia News ServiceZoe was given £1million by her brother[/caption]
Michael won the lottery in 2002, scoping £9.7m Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
