Shatner's wife died while 'drunk'

Nerine Shatner had been drinking before her fatal accident

William Shatner's wife was "intoxicated" when she drowned in an accident at the couple's California home on 9 August.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Nerine Shatner was three times over the state's legal alcohol limit for drivers.

Mrs Shatner, who married the Star Trek actor in 1997, was found to have a blood-alcohol level of 0.28 percent when she entered the pool at her Studio City home.

Toxicology tests also found traces of the sedative drug Valium in her system.

Reporters flocked to the Shatners' home after the drowning

Nerine was discovered at the bottom of the pool by her sci-fi star husband, when he returned home from a business meeting.

The actor recovered her body from the water, but his attempts to resuscitate the 40-year-old failed. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

"She meant everything to me. Her laughter, her tears and her joy will remain with me the rest of my life," said the star shortly after the incident.

The post-mortem found the former model broke her neck when she dived or fell into the pool while alone at the couple's home.

"The immediate cause of death is attributed to drowning associated with neck trauma, and the manner of death will be listed as accidental," said a Los Angeles coroners' spokesman.

Nerine was Shatner's third wife. The pair had considered divorce in1998, but had later been reconciled.

The 68-year-old actor became a worldwide celebrity playing Captain James T Kirk in the cult 60s TV show Star Trek.

He reprised the role in a series of films, as well as starring in cop show TJ Hooker and hosting 911 Rescue, a programme reconstructing real life emergencies.

To honour his wife's memory the star recently set up a fund to help women recovering from alcohol and drug abuse.