A woman with a history of mental illness died from hypothermia in her own flat.

An inquest at Southwark Coroners’ Court heard how Neetu Sharma, 36, of Gilbert Close in Woolwich died from hypothermia and was found on April 24 last year.

Ms Sharma had been reported missing on April 16 by her sister who had not heard from her in days.

Assistant Coroner for South London, Dr Julian Moore, said: "She was a very thin lady and had been previously known for psychotic tendencies.

"The report confirmed she died with the common signs of hypothermia though we can’t determine her state at the time of death.

When addressing Ms Sharma’s sister, Dr Moore said: "I would like to express my severe condolences, this must have been a very stressing time."

Ms Sharma had previously admitted herself to Oxleas House at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich on November 14 2013 after reportedly hearing voices from members which she believed were being caused by gamma rays in her apartment.

She also told staff she was unable to sleep due to her hearing voices, which were derogatory towards her and critical of her body shape.

However she left Oxleas House on November 22 and refused to return, stating she felt fine and no longer required their help.

Dr Samantha Nagpal from Oxleas House, said that the voices Ms Sharma was experiencing could have been caused by a traumatic childhood or her desperate financial situation, where she had been unemployed for two years and was unable to pay her bills.

She also said: "She was hearing voices from the C.I.A and the S.A.S, they spoke to her through numerous points in her body through the gamma rays in her flat.

"She first stated the voices were talking to her all the time and controlling what she did."

Forensic pathologist, Dr Peter Jerreat, examined the body and described her as very thin and suffering from muscular wasting, which contributed to her death.

He said: "Her heart was significantly smaller than it should have been and this was part of her wasting.

"She would have been very vulnerable at the time, it might not even have been cold in her flat.

"When the body drops under 95 degrees, people start shaking then lose control of their body, meaning they are unable to prevent themselves getting colder."

The coroner recorded an open verdict with the cause of death being hypothermia.