A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was found unresponsive in a hotel room with a cocktail of drugs in her system.

Ellena Pierre, 25, of Gloucester Place in Atherton, Manchester, died in February in a room at the Prince Regent Hotel near the ExCeL in Custom House.

Her preliminary cause of death has been given as mixed-drug toxicity. She had tramadol, oxycodone and heroin in her system, a court heard.

Hotel manager Adnan Ghani said staff had no idea the death was the subject of a murder investigation until they were informed by the Recorder.

“Since the unfortunate death, the police have not told us a thing about what was going on,” he said.

“We were all wondering what had happened, as all we knew at the time was that it was ‘suspicious’, as they told us.”

The murder inquiry came to light when coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe opened an inquest into Ellena’s death on Wednesday, August 14.

Dr Radcliffe told the brief hearing at East London Coroner’s Court, in Walthamstow, that her death was the subject of an “ongoing police investigation”, the coroner added.

The Metropolitan Police Service has confirmed Ellena’s death is the subject of a live murder investigation.

“Police are continuing to investigate the death of a woman in Newham,” a spokesperson said.

“Police were called at 13.07hrs on Wednesday, 28 February, to a property in Prince Regent Lane, E16.

“A 25-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Her next-of-kin has been informed.

“The death is being treated as suspicious and further enquiries are taking place.

“A 40-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries.

“The victim and suspect were known to one another. Enquiries continue.”

Mr Ghani, at the Prince Regent Hotel, said: “We were and still are deeply shocked about the incident... it is extremely upsetting.

“We would like to offer our condolences to the poor girl’s family and friends. That’s on behalf of the owners and all the staff here.

“It had a big effect on us all and even to this date, one of our housekeepers refuses to step foot in that building.”

Ellena’s inquest was adjourned to a date yet to be decided.