Judy Garland, the legendary actress and singer, tragically passed away at the age of 47 due to an accidental overdose of sleeping pills, according to a coroner’s report.
The Westminster coroner, Mr. Gavin Thurston, determined that her death was a result of “incautious self-overdosage” of the medication she had been taking since her early years as a child actress.
Judy Garland was found in the bathroom of her home in Cadogan Lane, Chelsea, on Sunday. The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.
“This is quite clearly an accidental circumstance to a person who was accustomed to taking barbiturates over a very long time,” the coroner said. She had died of quinal barbitone poisoning.
The coroner, Mr. Gavin Thurston, confirmed there was no evidence to suggest that Judy Garland’s overdose was intentional, and he emphasized that alcoholism was not a factor.
He described the barbiturate level in her blood as “extremely high,” attributing it to the accumulation of repeated small doses.
Earlier, her doctor in London, Dr John Traherne, who prescribed seconal sedative tablets for her, said:
“I don’t think she could have slept without them.”
Dr Traherne said Miss Garland, who had occasional bouts of depression, told him after she was married three months ago for the fifth time:
“I didn’t know I could be this happy.”
The coroner noted that Judy Garland also used another drug as an antidepressant “lift.”
He mentioned that she did not drink much, recalling that he had observed her sip a vodka and fruit juice slowly over one or two hours.
