THE family of a 27-year-old who say she died after suffering an epileptic fit have paid tribute to the ‘witty, funny and very giving' woman.

Natalie Brown – who died at her home in Thomas Street, Hindley Green, on Saturday – had suffered from epilepsy since her childhood.

She was also born with paediatric polycystic kidney disease and the former Fred Longworth High School pupil had to have a transplant at the age of 16.

Three years ago her new kidney started to fail and she had to go back on dialysis.

Her dad Andy says he is immensely proud of her for fighting her medical problems every step of the way.

“We cherished her knowing everything she has been through in her life," he said.

“She was witty, funny and very giving and had many friends.

“I am so proud as her dad to have had her as my beautiful daughter.

“We will love and miss her all our lives until some day we meet again in another place."

Having been called to the house at 8.20pm by paramedics, police originally mistakenly launched a murder inquiry and revealed they had arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of killing her.

He was later released without charge with Greater Manchester Police saying her death is no longer being treated as suspicious after a post-mortem examination was carried out by the Home Office.

Detective chief inspector Clare Devlin, of Greater Manchester Police's Wigan borough division, said: "We are no longer treating the tragic death of this woman as murder.

"At this devastating time my thoughts are with the family of this young woman, who had her whole life in front of her.

"This truly is heartbreaking."

Andy said: "Despite there not being a conclusion into what the exact cause of her passing was, as a family we know that her final seizure was the cause, as we have seen it coming for a while by what would happen during one."

He praised Epilepsy Awareness and Kidney Research UK for all the years of help and support they gave his daughter.

Andy said: “All her young life Natalie just grinned and bore the pain and got on with her life as normal as possible and did not let anything phase her.

“She was a fun-loving and beautiful little girl who had many friends, despite having to attend hospitals on lots of occasions, and as a family we spent as much time together as possible.

“She received vital support from Epilepsy Awareness and Kidney Research UK and I think it is important that anyone who suffers with the conditions knows what help they can provide.

“Natalie attended epilepsy clinics and was always able to access information about her kidneys.

“Due to having medication for her epilepsy it was hard to find a good balance with the dialysis treatment she had at the same time."

As well as her dad Natalie leaves behind her partner of 12 years Andy Bailey, her mum Julie, her older sister Rachel, her niece and two nephews.

For more information about Kidney Research UK visit kidneyresearchuk.org respectively.

To find out more about Epilepsy Awareness check out facebook.com/SupportEpilepsyFighters.