THERE is no way of knowing why a pensioner whose body was found in the River Avon in Salisbury had ended up in the water, a coroner has ruled.

Diane Elizabeth Markin, 68, was reported missing from her sheltered accommodation at Crane Lodge, Salisbury, on April 9 and her body was found in the river near Newbridge Road by Salisbury Angling Club employees three days later.

An inquest held at Salisbury Coroners’ Court on Friday heard Mrs Markin had a history of depression. She was taking antidepressants and being given community-based treatment by the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership, who had arranged to visit her on April 11.

The inquest heard that in the days before her death she had told a doctor she was “giving up” but did not have suicidal thoughts.

Mrs Markin was last seen by a member of staff at Crane Lodge on April 9, who said there was nothing about her that gave cause for concern.

Pathologist Dr Clare Fuller said toxicology reports showed there was no alcohol or drugs in Mrs Markin’s system and concluded the cause of death was drowning.

David Ridley, senior coroner for Wiltshire, recorded a narrative verdict, as he said there was no evidence to show Mrs Markin had deliberately entered the river with the intention of taking her life.