Police confirm river body is Mandy
Friday 31st October 2008, 1:00PM GMT.
Forensic tests today revealed the body of a woman discovered in the River Severn was that of missing Shropshire mother Mandy Franks.
West Mercia police detectives today said that it was not known how the 40-year-old died and said her death was being treated as “unexplained”.
Her body was discovered in the river at Apley, near Bridgnorth, on Monday. An inquest was due to be opened this afternoon.
Her family today said they did not believe the “fun loving” mother-of-one would have taken her own life.
Gary Rowland, who was married to Miss Franks for 10 years before they separated two years ago, said he, and the couple’s 21-year-old son Louie, were devastated.
Louie, a student at Chester university, said: “She was the best mother I could have hoped for and would do anything for me.”
Mr Rowland, 41, of Brookside, Telford, said: “Both Louie and I are very upset about it all. I didn’t actually believe it until I was told yesterday, even though we had been told it was probably her.
“It’s a tough time for us all. Mandy was also a stepmother to my other two children for 13 years and they are very upset too.”
Mr Rowland said he had been inundated with messages of support. “I hope nobody intentionally did it to her but at the same time I cannot see how it happened if they didn’t,” he said. “She would never take her own life – she would never do that.”
Miss Franks was last seen four weeks ago tomorrow in Shrewsbury. She had left her partner Jody Evans in Franks Bar and was last seen outside the Montgomery’s Tower pub. Mr Evans was not available for comment today at the home he shared with Miss Franks in Belle Vue Road, Shrewsbury.
It took three days of tests to identify Miss Franks’s body. Her family was informed of the discovery and told by officers they were investigating if it was that of Miss Franks.
By Kirsty Smallman
- Friends and family of Mandy can leave tributes using our comment form below.
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tragic
at least the minds of the family can be put to rest now she has been found
r.i.p mandy
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My deepest sympathy’s to all the family at this a very sad time to have lost such a lovely person who touched so many lives including my own.No words can express the loss you have all sufferd but hopefully the love from all those around you can help share your burden and help you to cope.
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Mandy and I were working colleagues and then great close friends. She called me “mum” because I nagged her for her smoking, but we had a close and loving relationship. To say I am devestated and saddened beyond belief would be an understatement. She was so very happy 2 weeks before her disappearance and so in love with Jodie her loving and caring partner. I hope he can find the strength to get through this, as they had something very very special. I am here for you Jodie if you need me. Take care and know that you are thought about in this terrible poinless tragedy. I will miss you Mandy every day of my life, you helped me through my life and I helped you through yours. Forever friends.
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Mandy lived her life to the full, its such a tragedy to be taken away in the prime of her life.
I will miss her so much.
RIP Mand xx
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My thoughts and prayers are with all of Mandy’s friends and family, especially Louie, at this most terrible time. Mandy was a lovely, kind person and I just can’t believe she has gone. X
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Such a tragic waste. Mandy was a great person and I know she will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
My thoughts are with her friends and family at this sad time.
God bless, and R.I.P.
xx
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such a tragic loss..my thought are with gary and louis and all his family on this devastating news…be strong mate..love robbo x
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So sorry to hear of this sad and tragic news. My thoughts are with her family at this sad time. I used to be in the same class as Mandy at Aldersley and she was a very good friend. RIP
xx
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I’d just like to pass on my heartfelt wishes to Mandys family, especially her adored son, Louie. I knew Mandy at school, we were such great mates. She was so much fun to be around. We had such fun times.
I’ve been left reeling by this news. Although years had passed since we’d last seen each other, I often thought back to those years we had. She was such a vibrant person, a joy to be around. Such a tragic end.
To all who had the great pleasure to know Mandy, I send my deepest sympathies.
Mandy, I shall cherish my memories forever.
Sleep tight Mandy love, sleep tight. xx
Julie Moore.
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Mandy was a lovely person, both inside and out – she often spoke of her son Louis when we worked together, she thought the world of him. Its such a tragegy, she was the sort of person you just wanted to look after and take care of. The last time I saw her, she was telling me how happy she was living in Shrewsbury with her partner and how her son was at University.
God Bless You Mandy xxxx
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my thoughts r with all mandys family and friends r.i.p mandy xx
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Our deepest sympathies to Louie, Jody and the rest of Mandy’s family. It was the outcome nobody wanted, but dear Mandy is home now. Our thoughts are with the Franks, Rowland and Evans families during this terrible time. God bless you, Mandy.
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I would like to extend my deepest sympathy and regret to all of those close to Mandy. I had not seen her for a few months, and had missed our chats at work. A vibrant, funny and caring lady – Mandy will be missed by all who knew her. My Father Allan Whiteley, also a former colleage is saddened by Mandy’s death and his thoughts are also with Mandy’s family. Mandy loved her family very much. I hope you will all be strong for each other whilst you deal with your grief.
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I would like to say farewell to Mandy who was a very good friend of mine whilst I was at Capgemini and am extremly shocked to lose such a lovely person so tragically.
xxx
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Our thoughts are with the family of Mandy at this very sad time, may she now be at peace.
XX
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our thoughts our with jodie and his family at this very sad time he loved mandy very much and is going to miss her RIP mandy may she be at peace al our love from den jay tracy carl and mat from pickfords xxxxxxxxxx
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