Tara Palmer-Tomkinson did 'NOT have brain tumour' as sister reveals how she died

But today, her sister Santa Montefiore claimed on Twitter a coroner found Ms Palmer-Tomkinson had died of "natural causes" a "perforated ulcer" and "did not have a brain tumour".

Socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson was diagnosed following blood tests last summer when doctors found a growth on her pituitary gland.

There was no retreat to a "dark place" and Ms Palmer-Tomkinson was "happy and positive" before her death, her family said in a statement.

The socialite's body was found in her £4.4million Penthouse flat in Chelsea flat by her cleaner.

Ms Palmer-Tomkinson rose to fame in the 1990s as a hard-partying "It girl, and was a regular on the London party scene in the 1990s and 2000s.

She also battled a high-profile cocaine addiction, which she discussed publicly on a number of occasions.

As well as being a socialite, she was also a close friend of Prince Charles and attended the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.

In a tribute, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall said their "thoughts are so much with the family".

A private funeral will be held on 27 February, her family said.

What is a perforated ulcer?

Ulcers are caused when acid used to digest food damages the stomach's lining - often as a result of bacteria or the use of certain medicines.

Complications are relatively uncommon, but if a stomach ulcer splits, known as perforation, bacteria that live in the stomach escape and infect the lining of the abdomen.

An infection can rapidly spread into the blood before spreading to other organs.

This carries the risk of multiple organ failure and can be fatal if left untreated.

Source: NHS Health A-Z

Former 'It Girl' and reality TV star Tara Palmer-Tomkinson told TV she has been living with a brain tumor for over a year.

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Her father has represented his country as a skier at Olympic level.