A WOMAN died after stabbing herself in the neck with a knife in a “moment of madness”, an inquest has heard.

Nadezhda Anatolyevna Maggs, 57, was found at her home address by her husband in Walthams, Pitsea on Monday, February 5 this year.

She was unresponsive and had a knife embedded in her neck.

Dozens of police officers and paramedics rushed to the scene shortly after 8pm to assist after serious concerns for her wellbeing were raised but sadly Mrs Maggs was pronounced dead at her home at 8.15pm.

A police cordon remained in place for several hours after the incident and forensic officers were spotted at the address examining the scene.

After investigation into the circumstances, police confirmed they were not treating her death as suspicious and that there was no third-party involvement and a file was prepared for the county's coroner.

Yesterday an inquest into the circumstances surrounding her death opened at Chelmsford coroner’s court, in Victoria Road.

The court heard a post mortem examination was carried out on February 9 at Basildon Hospital to establish the cause of death.

A doctor found that Mrs Maggs, originally from Russia before she moved to the UK, suffered a fatal haemorrhage as a result of slicing the right external carotid artery in her neck with a knife.

Coroner’s officer Gemma Cook said: “Her family have no concerns and do not wish to attend the inquest.”

Senior Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray carried out a documentary inquest to establish the circumstances.

She said: “Nadezhda Anatolyevna Maggs suffered from liver cirrhosis and diabetes and was known to mental health services prior to her death.

“Her husband has written me a letter and provided a great deal of background.

"He describes the incident in his own words as a "moment of madness" for his wife.

“It was very helpful to have so much background from this lady’s husband.

“The court has considered suicide but the court would have to be sure that his lady formed the intention and took a deliberate action knowing it would result in her death and I cannot be sure.

“I then looked at the possibility of recording her death as an accident, but again I cannot be sure.”

Mrs Beasley-Murray recorded an open conclusion.

She added: “Please could sympathy be expressed to her Mr Maggs.”