An inquest has been opened into the death of a former Appleby student whose body was found more than two months after she went missing from her home.
Family members of Sophie Burns issued moving public appeals as concern grew over many weeks for the whereabouts of the 28-year-old around the turn of this year.
Sophie, of Dalton Crescent, Carlisle, was reported missing on December 12 having been last seen in the area of her home.
As police mounted searches, officers used dogs, CCTV footage, line searches and drones while also working with North Cumbria Rescue and Response.
A force spokesman then announced that the body of Sophie — a former student of Appleby Grammar School — had been located in the area of Burgh-by-Sands, north west of Carlisle, on February 21.
As she formally opened an inquest into Sophie’s death yesterday, assistant Cumbria coroner Margaret Taylor said: “The place of death I’m given is marshland, near to (King) Edward (I) monument, approximately 10 metres off the coastline in Burgh-by-Sands. I understand her body was located by a member of the public.
“I understand that she went missing on Sunday, December 12 2021, and had sent a number of concerning messages to her partner with one suggesting she had entered into the water. Identification was achieved by means of fingerprints.”
Satisfied that it was necessary to hold an inquest, Ms Taylor adjourned the hearing to August 25 this year.
In a statement released after Sophie’s death, her family said: “Our beautiful, talented Sophie has gone forever. Taken from us by an illness she couldn’t control and we will never truly understand. She leaves a hole in our lives that we will never, ever fill.”
At the time, Cumbria police confirmed the circumstances surrounding her death were not believed to be suspicious.
