A “HAPPY AND BUBBLY” Hampshire woman who fell to her death from her balcony prompting a murder investigation had been drinking, an inquest heard.

Christine Langdon from Southampton was found in a car park after falling from her third floor flat, Winchester Coroner’s Court heard.

At the time of her death at Atlantis Court on Canute Road, a murder probe was launched and a man arrested and later released without charge.

The hearing was told Mrs Langdon had a history of depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug misuse, self-harm and panic attacks.

The 37-year-old, a cleaner, died on May 1 at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics who rushed to the scene.

Pathologist Dr Basil Purdue said Mrs Langdon had suffered a severe head injury as well as broken ribs.

Toxicology results showed she had alcohol in her blood at a level of two and a half times the drink drive limit, as well as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication.

Gary Langdon, her husband, said: “ Ninety-nine percent of the time it was love and affection. But now and again she would go off the rails a little bit.

“It was linked to her alcohol. After a few drinks she would be happy and bubbly but halfway down the next drink I used to spot the warning signs.

“I knew she had problems and I was just trying to help her through it.”

Mulkh Raj, a neighbour, said: “Chris was a lovely woman who enjoyed herself. I am aware that she self harmed. She told me her parrot had caused the marks but they were knife wounds.”

Speaking about the day of her death, he added: “She was in a state.”

Michelle O’Connor, another neighbour, said: “They were great fun to go out with but they used to argue a lot.”

Susan Mercer, a barmaid at Sir Lucius Curtis, said: “Although they are regular patrons, I knew them before. They always loved each other and would often openly compliment each other. I would describe them as big personalities.

“I have never seen them fighting or arguing, but I did see bruises on Gary from time to time. But they had never caused any problems in the pub.

“They worked hard but really enjoyed life at the same time.

“Gary had come into the pub and had clear bruises on his face. When I asked him what happened he said ‘She’s done it again’.”

PC Giulio Pizzo said there was no deformation of the balcony and cans of larger were found in the couple’s flat.

He added the police considered it a non-suspicious death, saying: “We cannot definitively say how she came to fall.”

Coroner Grahame Short said there was no evidence that Mrs Langdon planned to end her life.

“It is unclear what she did for the morning and early afternoon. I believe that she was under the influence of alcohol and a disturbed mental state.” he said.

He recorded a conclusion of misadventure.