Police have confirmed they are in touch with the family of a 66-year-old Exeter woman, whose body was found in the estuary at Topsham yesterday.
Police were called at around 12 midday on Friday, January 2, to the dock area near to St Margaret's Church on Ferry Road, following the discovery of a woman's body.
A police spokesperson confirmed that her family had previously reported their loved one missing prior to her discovery.
It is believed that the woman had been in the water for some time and her death is being treated as unexplained by officers.
Officers made contact with the lady's next-of-kin last night who are helping to confirm her identity.
Exmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat and Exmouth Coastguard volunteers were tasked at around 12.15pm to assist police after reports of a body in the water off Trouts Boatyard. A spokesperson confirmed the woman had been declared dead by paramedics upon their arrival.
A spokesperson for Exmouth Coastguards, said: "We assisted the ILB crew and HART Paramedics with the recovery. A difficult start to 2015. Our thoughts are with the person's family."
Police immediately set about making enquiries to identify the woman and sought assistance from the public.
