The mystery of how a Shrewsbury woman ended up in the River Severn now looks unlikely to ever be solved.

An open verdict was recorded on Mandy Franks after Mr Anthony Sibcy, south Shropshire coroner, said there was no evidence she had killed herself or died of natural causes and fallen into the river.

He also said a thorough police investigation found no evidence a third party was involved in her death.

The body of Miss Franks, of Belle Vue Road, was found in the river at Apley on October 27. A massive police investigation had been launched after she vanished.

Miss Franks vanished while on a night out in Shrewsbury on October 4. The inquest heard she was spotted on numerous occasions on CCTV that night.

The 40 year-old personal assistant had arranged to meet Nikki Brooks, a friend, in Cafe Frank, known locally as Frank’s Bar.

She arrived at the bar with her long-term partner Jody Evans, but, the inquest heard, she became upset when he went to meet a friend for a “lads’ night out” at Montgomery’s Tower, another Shrewsbury bar.

Miss Brooks said: “She was upset and crying. I was aware she had been drinking. I offered her a drink she said she wanted a triple vodka and Coke. I suggested to the bar staff she was given a single vodka and Coke and she had some water.”

CCTV footage shows Miss Franks also went to Montgomery’s Tower after sending Mr Evans text messages and and calling him on his mobile phone.

She was last seen with staff at the club at about midnight.

Richard Minns, Montgomery’s Tower shift manager, described her as “more drunk than a typical tipsy female, but not out of it”.

Dr Alexander Kolar, Home office pathologist, told the inquest tests revealed Miss Franks had 162milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood – more than twice the legal driving limit of 80milligrammes.

He said: “I give the medical cause of death as unascertained at autopsy examination.”

Ruby Franks, Miss Franks’s mother, told the inquest: “I just can’t understand how it all happened because she was so happy.

“I can’t believe she would go down by the river.

“I still have not got over it and I never will.”

By Sophie Bignall