THE death of a widow, whose body was found on the banks of the River Avon remains a mystery.

Margaret Williams was discovered tangled in reeds in the water, near Pershore in October.

Worcestershire coroner Victor Round revealed that the 68-year-old had suffered from depression and anxiety for 14 years, for which she took medication.

He told how on Wednesday, October 26, her son Simon, who lived next door in Oak Drive, Woodmancote, near Defford, was on his way to work and noticed that her car was missing.

He became concerned because she would not usually be up at that time of the morning and, after searching the house, he alerted the police.

Inquiries revealed that Mrs Williams had been spotted the previous day, driving towards Pershore and after a search her unlocked car was located at a picnic site next to Eckington bridge, with an empty bottle of wine on the seat and the keys in the glove box. Her body was discovered nearby.

Mr Round said there was little alcohol in her system and that she had not overdosed on medication. He said cause of death was drowning.

"Of course it is possible that she might have taken her own life, but I can't say that it was proved beyond reasonable doubt," he added. An open verdict was recorded.