The Moors murderer Myra Hindley died of bronchial pneumonia due to problems with her heart, an inquest heard today.
Home Office pathologist Dr Michael Heath told the hearing the 60-year-old suffered from high blood pressure and poor blood supply to the heart, resulting in blocked coronary arteries.
The inquest was opened and adjourned at Highpoint Prison near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
Greater Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean said a jury hearing would take place at a later date, which has not yet been set.
Detective Sergeant Adrian Powell told the inquest he was on duty on Friday and at 5.20 p.m. went to a room at the West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds.
He said there were a number of people in the room. "I also saw the body of a female lying on a bed," he said.
At 5.50 p.m. the body was escorted from the room to the hospital mortuary. Mr Powell said at 10.42 a.m. the following day he formally identified the body to the Home Office pathologist.
He said Hindley had been transferred to Highpoint Prison on January 17th, 1998 from Durham Prison, remaining there until shortly before her death.
He said: "She had a history of health problems including osteoporosis, angina and respiratory problems and was always a known heavy smoker.
"She has received hospital treatment at both Addenbrooke's and West Suffolk Hospitals."
He said Hindley had been admitted to the Bury St Edmunds Hospital on October 14th with chest pains and was released back to the prison the following day.
He said she was readmitted on November 12th and her condition continued to deteriorate until her death at 4.58 p.m. on Friday.
Hindley will be cremated later this week, the executor of her will said today.
PA