NEIGHBOURS found a 67-year-old woman’s decomposing body three weeks after she told friends she felt unwell, an inquest heard.

Marie Willett's body was discovered after neighbours noticed a stench coming through the pensioner’s letterbox on August 8 last year.

Police broke into her flat in Grafton House, Grove Street, Deptford, and found the mother-of-two lying dead in her living room, Southwark Coroner's Court heard on January 3.

According to friends, Mrs Willett, who smoked 40 cigarettes a day, had spoken of feeling feverish and lethargic but refused to seek medical attention.

PC Fiona Thompson, one of the officers called to the home said in a statement: “Her right arm was outstretched and she was lying in a pool of fluid and the fluid near her head appeared to be moving.

“There were maggots on her top left shoulder and forearm.”

Coroner Belinda Cheney said pathologists were unable to determine a cause of death because of the advanced decomposition.

But she noted there was no sign of any physical injuries from a third party or any indication that she had taken her own life.

Giving a verdict of natural causes, Dr Cheney said: 'There are only two options open to me - one that the death is open and the other, on the balance of probabilities, that this lady died of natural causes.

“This lady was 67, had some medical problems and she told her friends she was feeling quite unwell.

“She was unable to get out of bed but was refusing any medical help.

“There is nothing indicating any third party involvement and police are satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances.”