The family of a multiple sclerosis sufferer who was found hanging at her Birmingham home claimed her husband had murdered her, an inquest heard.

But, in recording that Dawn Hewitt had taken her own life, city coroner Aidan Cotter said there was no evidence at all to suggest that Dean Hewitt had been involved in his wife's death.

Mr Cotter had adjourned a previous hearing after relatives of 31-year-old Mrs Hewitt, who have instructed a barrister, had raised concerns about the circumstances of her death.

He said they believed that Mrs Hewitt, who was found in an upstairs room by her husband, had been physically incapable of getting upstairs unaided and of making a ligature to take her own life.

The coroner said it was obvious by the nature of the questions being put by the barrister that it was being suggested that Dean Hewitt had killed her.

He said that since then the family had had every opportunity of raising every matter of concern they could think of, and went on: "I am satisfied that each of those has been looked into by the two experienced police officers."

And he told Mr Hewitt: "It is not just there is no evidence to suggest what they are saying, all the evidence supports what you are saying."

Mr Cotter said it was quite clear that Mrs Hewitt was capable of getting upstairs on her own at her two-storey terraced home at Hilderstone Road, Yardley, and she had done so at a time when she knew her husband would be away from the property.

The coroner also said Mrs Hewitt was suffering from depression because of her condition, which was deteriorating.

Detective Chief Constable Steve Graham said there was no evidence of any struggle having taken place or any foul play. None of Mrs Hewitt's family attended the adjourned hearing.