Investigations continue after grim find

DETECTIVES are to continue their investigations into the death of a 36-year-old woman whose body was discovered alongside a river in a popular Suffolk beauty spot.

The small community at Fornham St Martin, near Bury St Edmunds, was in mourning yesterday after police confirmed they believed the woman to be Dawn Walker, who lived in the village.

Ms Walker was last seen at 9.30pm on Wednesday, and was reported missing at 11.30am on Friday. Her body was discovered by a member of the public next to the River Lark, Fornham Park, at 5.10pm that evening, in an area popular with dog walkers.

Detectives immediately cordoned off large sections of the woodland path, and said yesterday the seals would remain in place until investigations have been completed.

Although it is believed the death is not currently being treated as suspicious, police have described it as "unexplained."

Detective Inspector David Rutterford, of Suffolk police, said: "We are at an extremely early part of the investigation.

"However, in order for us to identify when the body was by the River Lark, we would like to hear from anyone who was in the area of Fornham Park between Wednesday, February 2 and 5.10pm on Friday, February 4.

"This is a popular area for walkers, so it is likely that a large number of people had passed through the area during these dates."

Although the body has yet to be formally identified, officers confirmed they believed it to be that of Ms Walker, who is thought to have lived alone.

"A post mortem took place on Saturday night at Heath Road Hospital, Ipswich, and further tests are being conducted," said Mike Nunn, Suffolk police spokesman.

"Although formal identification has not taken place, the body is believed to be that of 36-year-old Dawn Walker, from Fornham St Martin.

"As is standard procedure, the death is being treated as unexplained at this stage."

It is thought toxicology tests will be among those now carried out on the body by police.

During yesterday afternoon, community leaders expressed their sympathies to Ms Walker's family.

"The thoughts of the village are with this lady's relatives," said David Payne, chairman of Fornham St Martin cum St Genevieve Parish Council.

"The fact she was 36-years-old makes this more of a tragedy, as she had a lot of life ahead of her.

"I did not go to church with my wife yesterday, but if I had it would have been appropriate to take some moments of meditation that someone had lost their life, which is always a sad time."

Police are now appealing for anyone who was in the Fornham Park area between Wednesday and Friday to contact them on 01473 613500.