A CARE worker from Morda took her own life after taking her dog for a walk, an inquest has heard.

Maria Duncan, 51, from Trefonen Road, went missing on the afternoon of September 20, after taking her black Labrador, Charlie, for a walk.

At an inquest, held at Shirehall in Shrewsbury yesterday (Tuesday), coroner John Ellery heard how the alarm was raised when Ms Duncan’s daughter Katy became concerned that she had not returned from her walk.

She attempted to ring her mother, but found her mobile was in her room under a pillow and on the phone was a draft message, signalling Ms Duncan’s ‘suicidal intent’.

After a three day search, which involved the assistance of members of the public, West Mercia Police found the body of Ms Duncan on September 23 in a wooded area of Nant Y Caws in Morda after assistance from an eyewitness.

The eyewitness had been driving down Nant Lane when they spotted a black Labrador in the road. They followed the dog towards Sweeney Mountain and later led police to the same location, where they discovered Charlie alongside the body of Ms Duncan.

A post mortem report showed that Ms Duncan had injuries consistent with hanging.

With the evidence provided, Mr Ellery came to the conclusion that Ms Duncan had taken her own life: “On the evidence I record that Maria Duncan died between September 20 and September 23. “I am satisfied that death was deliberate and I record that her death was suicide.”.