The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The body of a woman washed up at a Suffolk nature reserve is thought to be that of Carol Smalley who has been missing for almost a week.
The 54-year-old, who worked at the Post Office in Winsover Road, Spalding, was last seen in the town at lunchtime on Wednesday, January 3.
The hunt for Carol was centred on the Norfolk coast after her belongings including clothes and a bag were found on a beach at Hopton near Great Yarmouth.
A search party including the coastguard, helicopters and police drones had been searching for her up until the discovery of the body at Minsmere Nature Reserve in Suffolk on Tuesday, January 9, around 25 miles south of Hopton.
A spokesman for Norfolk Police, said: “The body of a female has been located on a beach at Minsmere Nature Reserve today (Tuesday 9 January).
“It follows a call from a member of the RSPB at about 9.50am.
“Formal identification of the female body is due to take place, but the body is believed to be that of 54-year-old Carol Smalley, reported missing from Lincolnshire on Wednesday 3 January.
“Carol’s next of kin have been informed of this development.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file for the coroner will now be prepared.”
