Inquest opens on Mandy Franks

A 40-year-old Shropshire woman was "angry and upset" on the night she disappeared, an inquest was told today.

Mandy Franks, of Belle Vue Road, Shrewsbury, had been on a night out in the town last October when she failed to return home, the inquest in Ludlow heard.

Her body was discovered in the River Severn near Bridgnorth nearly a month later.

The inquest heard how she had gone to meet a friend Nikki Brookes in Cafe Frank in Frankwell, Shrewsbury.

Ms Brookes, who was working at Cafe Frank at the time, said her friend – a mother of one – was crying and upset.

Test results on samples taken from Miss Franks's body showed that she had alcohol in her system but there was no evidence of illicit drugs.

Miss Franks, who used to live in Brookside, Telford, was last seen alive shortly after midnight on October 5 in a car park opposite Montgomery's Tower bar in Shrewsbury.

Before today's hearing detectives had said that it was not known how the mother of one died and her death has been treated as "unexplained". Her body was discovered at Apley on October 27.

Immediately after the discovery her boyfriend Jody Evans said he was devastated by her death, which had hit him "like a brick wall".

Mr Evans, who lived with Miss Franks in Belle Vue Road, said he was finding it difficult to come to terms with her death.

At the time he said: "It's hit me like a brick wall I just can't believe it. I am just trying to get through hour by hour but it's not just me to consider in all of this, it's her son Louie and her mum and dad – we are all going through the same emotions. It's devastating it's just such a loss. I feel so empty."

The hearing continues.

By John Kirk