Margaret Florence Walker

Margaret Florence Walker was found dead in the sands of the Ribble Channel off Lytham on Friday 16 April 1937.

She had been missing from her home since 27 December 1936.

At the time of her disappearance, she was reported missing to the Preston Borough Police and a description of her was circulated throughout the country, but until her body was found, her disappearance had remained a mystery.

She was found half buried in the sand in the river near to Lytham shipyard by the navigation officers aboard the survey ship The Aid. She was identified by a large brooch that she had been wearing as well as a mark on her hand and a mark on her eye.

The police said that her body was in an advanced state of decomposition and that there was no evidence to show how her death had occurred.

She was a married woman an had lived on Ringwood Road in Preston.

It was heard that Margaret Walker had gone to see her brother-in-law with her husband on 27 December 1936 and that during a momentary absence of her husband she had put on her clothes and left the house and was never seen again.

It was heard that Margaret Walker had been subject to epileptic fits and that as a result she was very weak and depressed.

An open verdict was returned. The Coroner said that it was impossible to conclude that she had committed suicide.