Police find elderly woman's body in Wichelstowe canal

Police were called to Yelland Walk, East Wichel, Swindon, on the morning of February 21, following a report from a member of the public that a body had been found in the canal.

Emergency services attended the scene at roughly 11.45am and confirmed with an announcement on Facebook a few hours later that a body was recovered from the water.

At the time of this announcement, 2.30pm, three police cars remained at the scene, parked on a road just off of Yelland Walk. 

A police cordon had been put up some distance away from the bridge going over the canal in that area, guarded by one officer. 

Behind that officer were two more police officers directly underneath the bridge and behind them, a black forensic tent had been erected. 

The officer at the first cordon said that a few more things still needed to be done, so police would likely remain in the area for a further hour. 

A black forensic tent had been erected under the bridge to give the woman in her 80s privacy as she was removed from the water (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police confirmed the tragic news and revealed that the person they had found was an elderly lady. 

"While formal identification has not yet taken place, we believe the deceased to be a woman in her 80s from Swindon.

"Her next of kin have been informed and will be supported by specialist-trained officers. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

"Initial enquiries have been carried out and we do not believe there to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death."

The stretch of canal that she was found in leads directly onto a row of houses, and many of the neighbors in these homes expressed their shock at what had happened.

"Police knocked on our door around lunchtime," one said, "but I didn't know what had happened, it's terrible news."

Another added: "It's really sad, I can't believe it."

Police at the scene after a body was found in the water of the Wichelstowe Canal near Yelland Walk (Image: Newsquest)

One witness who was there when the woman's body was found said that two dog walkers first spotted her and called the police. 

"You could see her floating along, it was horrible," they said. 

"Police came quickly, they think she hadn't been in there long, and they found a walking stick on the canal bank. 

"The diver came and moved her from the main canal to under the bridge to give her some privacy, then they put the tent up."

Although police aren't treating the death as suspicious, they are still appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

The spokesperson added: "Anyone with information should call 101 and quote log number 117 of February 21."