A BOY of 16 has been left orphaned after his mum died in mysterious circumstances just two months after his father.

Carole Abraham, 48, of Peel Park Avenue, Accrington, was found unconscious in the bath at a house in Haslingden.

Her devastated son Wayne and parents Kathleen and Eric Foster of Burnley Road, Accrington, were stunned by her death.

They told how they were still struggling to come to terms with the loss of Carole's husband of 10 years, Vic, 58, a former groundsman for Hyndburn Council, who died at the beginning of October.

Police were called to the Haslingden house last Friday after a friend discovered Carole. She was taken by ambulance to Fairfield Hospital, Bury.

The results of a post-mortem examination proved inconclusive.

An inquest was opened by East Lancashire Coroner, Richard Taylor, on Tuesday and adjourned for the results of toxicology and histology tests.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Johnson from the police's major investigation unit said tests had been carried out to establish the cause of death and police were keeping an open mind as investigations continued. Mr and Mrs Foster, who are in their 70s, spoke of their popular, happy daughter who they said loved life and lived for her family.

Mrs Foster said: "Everybody is shocked. I can't believe so much life has suddenly been taken away.

"Carole loved socialising. She really liked being with people and was always in the middle of it. She had a very close group of friends who she used to go on walks with and they did a lot for charity together.

"She visited us almost every day and was happy spending time in her home and going to work which she really enjoyed."

Mr Foster added: "It's left a big hole in my life and I've lost a really good mate."

Born in Accrington, Carole attended Peel Park School and Hollins High School. She then trained as a sewing machinist with Karrimor, where she worked until Wayne was born. More recently she took a job with Lancashire Sports Repair in Burnley.

She was a regular at the Peel Park pub, where she was a member of the ladies' domino team.

Funeral details are still to be finalised but Carole's family have asked for donations to the British Heart Foundation in lieu of floral tributes, through Hyndburn Funeral Services on 233133.

  • IN an unrelated incident police obtained a firearms warrant to search Mrs Abraham's house and took a blank firing pistol with ammunition from underneath the floorboards. The warrant was issued with the co-operation of people in the house, no arrests were made and no offences were disclosed.