Linda Skinner died within hours of carer taking leave

The body of Linda Skinner, 63, of Stoke Holy Cross, south of Norwich, was found by her carer after she returned from annual leave. 

Paulette James had left Mrs Skinner, with whom she had a close bond, for an agreed time of two weeks after caring for her daily for four months.

After making sure Mrs Skinner was provided for, Miss James left her home at around 10.30pm on August 18. 

When she returned on August 31, she found Mrs Skinner deceased on her bed in the clothes she had left her wearing two weeks previously.

Her iPad also had not moved from its charging point. 

Norfolk Coroner's Court at County Hall, Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

At an inquest into her death, held at Norfolk Coroner’s Court on November 2, results of a post-mortem revealed a medical cause of death could not be ascertained. 

Area coroner Samantha Goward read a statement from Miss James to the Norwich-based court in which she paid tribute to her client. 

She said: “We got on so well, like we’d been friends for years. 

“I'd worked so hard the past four months we thought it would be a good time for me to take a break. So, we made a plan. 

READ MORE: Father, 44, died inside tent in city churchyard grounds, court told

READ MORE: Heart attack patient died in hospital after airway became blocked, court told

“She was to call me if she needed anything day or night, and she had a Careline pendant around her neck should she need it. 

“I felt terrible that I was not there for her when she died. We had become very close over the last four months.

“I haven’t just lost my employer; I've lost a friend too. Someone I'd come to care for a great deal.” 

Ms Goward recorded a short narrative conclusion. 

She said: “A post-mortem was unable to ascertain cause of death but there is no evidence of an unnatural death.”