An elderly Exeter woman 'voluntarily' entered the River Exe after becoming overcome with anxiety due to her deteriorating eyesight, an inquest heard.
Joan Russell, 78, whose disappearance sparked a large police search, left the home she shared with her twin sister Sylvia in Emmanuel Close, Exeter overnight on November 15 last year.
Despite a series of public appeals, Joan's body was discovered several days later by police divers.
Her inquest was held at County Hall in Exeter this morning and Coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland recorded a narrative verdict. She said: "Sometime after 9.30pm on 15 November 2013, the deceased, who suffered from anxiety due to deteriorating eyesight, left her home in Emmanuel Close, Exeter, and entered the River Exe voluntarily up-stream from Trews Weir .
"She could not swim and there were no defensive injuries."
Sylvia, who had lived with her sister for all but five years of their lives, said her worst fears were confirmed when police told her a body had been found.
She said she last saw her sister when she kissed her goodnight at the home they shared at Emmanuel Close, St Thomas. When she woke up the next morning Joan had disappeared.
"I kissed her goodnight and said god bless – like I always do," she added. "There was no hint of anything being wrong but that was the last I saw of her. I got up in the morning looked in the bedroom and she was gone.
"She was suffering from nerves and I feared she may have gone in the river. She had been very down lately.
"Everything got on top of her. She was a very worrying person and lived on her nerves."
At the time of her twin sister's death Sylvia said: "Joan was my beloved sister but I am relieved that at least she has been found.
"I just want to thank everyone for all their help in trying to find her.
"My sister was just a wonderful, kind-hearted person who was good to everyone.
"We lived together for all but five years of our lives so it doesn't get much closer than that. As a twin you always have a special bond."
