A woman who drowned after throwing herself into a reservoir had attempted to slit her wrists and hang herself hours before, Leeds Coroner's Court heard.

Jean Marjorie Stirk, who had a history of mental illness, drowned after diving into the rocky, shallow end of Riva Reservoir, in Shipley.

The inquest yesterday heard that Mrs Stirk, 68, of Back Lane, Burley-in-Wharfedale, had driven to the reservoir after first attempting to hang herself with an electrical flex and making superficial incisions on her wrists at her home.

Mrs Stirk, who had been admitted to High Royds Hospital, Menston, in 1993, was recovered from the water by police and pronounced dead at the scene.

Det Insp Liam McNamara, of Weetwood Police, who led the police investigation said: "It is a gradual area of water - it consists of large rocks and boulders. While walking over the rocks she either slipped or dived into the water.

"There was bruising and facial marks and large marks to the throat. In way of these injuries I treated the investigation in the same way as I would any suspicious death. The overall investigation is such that I am satisfied there was no external party involved."

A length of electrical flex tied into a noose and hanging from the balustrade was found at Mrs Stirk's house by police. There were also marks on her arms consistent with a tentative attempt at slitting her wrists.

Mrs Stirk, a widow, had not been taking her prescribed medication in the weeks before her death but had appeared to make a full recovery from her depression.

Coroner David Hinchliff said: "There is sufficient evidence before me to conclude that she has deliberately taken her own life.''

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