A heartbroken husband has spoken of his wife’s death from anthrax-infected heroin.

Andy Fraser, 49, said he was “totally shocked” to discover wife Rio had taken the drug which has killed five other people in England this year.

Andy from Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, said: “I certainly didn’t know she was taking heroin.

“When doctors said two days before she died it was anthrax, I didn’t know what to think.”

US-born Rio, 37, who was christened Tracey, died at Maidstone Hospital on Wednesday, November 3.

Kent Police have launched an investigation to trace the infected heroin, which is thought to have originated from Scotland where it has killed 12 people since December 2009.

Since her death, messages of sympathy and support have flooded the KM’s website, but inevitably a few have been less-than complimentary.

Andy said: “I know people will jump to conclusions and I understand why they’re what they’re saying, but they didn’t know Rio.

“I’ve never met anyone who made such an impact on other people as she did.

“I’ve had so many messages of support from people she helped in her time, and she had time for everyone.”

The tragedy unfolded when Rio collapsed at the couple’s terraced home on Saturday, October 30.

She was rushed to Maidstone Hospital and hours later moved to intensive care.

It was then doctors broke the news to Andy that his wife had taken heroin infected with a small amount of anthrax.

He said: “I was totally shocked. I knew she had used drugs in the past but she told me she had been clean for four years.”

Rio suffered multiple organ failure and a decision was made to switch her life support machine off.

As his wife’s life slipped away, Andy told of his emotional last words.

“I promised her I’d be strong and make her proud of me, the way I was proud of her for the woman she was.”

The couple met four years ago via the My Space music website, where Andy had posted songs by his band Unlucky Fried Kitten, who are renowned in Maidstone and Medway.

Rio, a trained drugs counsellor, became a fan and the pair started a relationship which resulted in her moving from Los Angeles to be with Andy.

They married at the Archbishop’s Palace in June 2008 and as well as continuing her counselling work in the UK, Rio became the band’s keyboard player.

Andy, a carpet estimator, said a childhood trauma may have triggered Rio’s drug habit which she kept hidden whilst they lived together.

He said: ”She had a serious car accident when she was 12.

“I’ve been going through stuff since she died and I’ve found correspondence from doctors to do with physical and mental problems she was having because of it.

“She was obviously still in pain.”

No date has so far been set for the funeral, which Andy promised will be a celebration of Rio’s life.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kent Police on 01622 690 690.

For further health information, contact Kent Health Protection Unit on 01622 885 931.