Formal proceedings have begun into the death of an elderly Newport woman who was found in a pond at her home earlier this year.
The Isle of Wight Coroner’s Court opened the inquest into Virginia Stirman on Friday (1st May).
Ms Stirman had been reported missing before she was discovered at 11:56 on 14th January at an address on Watergate Road in Newport.
The court heard that she was found in a small pond within the garden of the property.
A post-mortem examination recorded the causes of death as cardiac arrest, inhalation of cold water and debris, frailty of old age, and hypertensive heart disease.
Ms Stirman was a humanitarian and artist, and a long-time supporter of Amnesty International.
She was also a long-standing member of the Isle of Wight Art Club, having been involved since 2002.
The inquest has been adjourned, with a full hearing provisionally listed for 28th October.
