AN Upleadon woman who had tried to cure her mental problems by drilling a hole in her head live on TV was found dying from a drug overdose in a public toilet in Newent, an inquest heard.

Heather Perry, 41, had long-term problems with addiction and had been arrested two days before her death on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs, the Gloucester inquest was told.

Assistant deputy Gloucestershire coroner Katy Skerrett recorded a verdict that Ms Perry, of Golden Valley, Upleadon, died from dependence on drugs.

Ten years ago Ms Perry became one of only a handful of people in recent times to try the bizarre practice known as trepanning – drilling a hole in the head.

Trepanning is said to treat health problems related to intra-cranial diseases or to relieve pressure on the brain.

Ms Perry made news on both sides of the Atlantic when she performed the procedure on herself with an electric drill in front of TV cameras in America.

She said it was a last-ditch effort to cure herself of depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.

But the public demonstration of trepanning ended with her being rushed to hospital because she drilled too deep.

After her inquest today her brother Keith said: "She thought the trepanning would be the answer to all her problems of depression and addiction but obviously it wasn't.

"I do wonder whether it actually had an effect on her brain and led to what happened later but we shall never know.

"I think she had been dallying with drugs since her schooldays. There was medical help on offer but she just kept on going back to the same people and to drugs."

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