AN elderly woman was sadly found dead in a brook, hours after being reported missing from her Northwich home.

The body of retired teacher Celine Bourke, 70, was discovered near her home on Station Road in Crowton on May 2 this year, an inquest in Warrington heard on Wednesday.

Mrs Bourke lived alone but was in regular contact with her family.

Her daughter had called the police to report her mum missing earlier in the day at 11.15am after finding no-one inside the property.

The alarm was raised when Mrs Bourke’s handbag, phone and purse were found at her home but there was no sign of her, the court was told.

Police carried out an extensive search and found the elderly woman at 3.23pm lying on her back under a bridge in Acton Brook.

Paramedics from North West Ambulance Service and crews from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident.

Mrs Bourke’s body was retrieved from the water but there was no sign of life, the court heard.

Attempts were made at resuscitation but sadly she was pronounced dead at 4.04pm.

Police concluded there were no suspicious circumstances or third party involvement.

Victoria Davies, area coroner for Cheshire, said that Mrs Bourke had a history of anxiety and depression and was under the care of a mental health team.

A post mortem examination found the medical cause of death was a broken neck and cardiac arrest caused by sudden immersion in cold water.

A conclusion of suicide was recorded.

Miss Davies expressed her sincere condolences to Mrs Bourke's family.

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