Charles Bronson’s former wife Paula Williamson was found unconscious on her bed next to two bags of “white powder”, an inquest has heard.
The 38-year-old actress was discovered at home by her partner in Gordon Avenue, Sneyd Green, Stoke on Trent, on July 29.
Opening an inquest into the death on Thursday, Assistant Coroner Sarah Murphy said: "Details reported to the coroner's court are that the patient was found on (a) bed by her partner.
"She was unconscious with vomit from her mouth and there were two small bags of white powder stuck to her."
Ms Williamson, who said last month she and notorious prisoner Bronson had applied to have their marriage annulled, had played minor roles in Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
She met the renowned criminal in prison in late 2016, and they were married in November 2017.
Staffordshire Police had previously confirmed the death was not suspicious.
Miss Murphy, sitting at Stoke and North Staffordshire Coroner's Court, said Miss Williamson - also known as Paula Joy Salvador - had a previous history of "anxiety and depression" and been through "detox" last year.
She added: "We do not have a cause of death.
"Due to the circumstances, there is reason to suspect the death was unnatural, so an inquest will need to take place.
"I am not going to give a date of inquest at this stage.
"I will provide an update to the family by September 19; either an update or date of inquest, depending on how quick we get the evidence through but I open an inquest now into death of Paula Salvador."
The hearing was adjourned for a date to be set.
Additional reporting by Press Association
