THE family of a woman who was found dead in a Burford stream have refused to accept a coroner’s verdict of suicide.

Wendy Leckenby, of Meadow End, Fullbrook, was found in the Mill Stream, near Church Lane, at 9.35am on August 3.

An inquest at Oxford’s County Hall heard that police officers found a white paper bag containing what they believed to be a suicide note and “several empty packets of drugs” along with Mrs Leckenby’s wallet on a bench by St John the Baptist Church.

After the inquest, Mrs Leckenby’s daughter Pippa Edginton, from Witney, said: “We know mum – I don’t agree with the verdict.

“My mum thrived on helping other people, there is no way.

“I think the verdict is wrong.”

The 59-year-old hairdresser was last seen by her husband Anthony Leckenby at 7am on August 3.

A post mortem examination reported the cause of death was drowning and tests showed Mrs Leckenby was twice the legal drink-drive limit.

GP Dr Julian Hancock reported that she had been taking medication for anxiety and depression.

But Linda Barlow, her counsellor, said she was a low suicide risk.

When her family challenged the verdict at the inquest on Tuesday, Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter replied: “It seems quite apparent in the evidence at least that there was an intent as expressed in the note.”