Teaching assistant who drowned took her own life

Pam Johnson worked as a teaching assistant at Doncaster's Kingfisher Primary School before her death in March

A primary school teaching assistant who went missing and later drowned took her own life, an inquest has heard.

Doncaster Coroner's Court was told that Shirley Pamela Johnson, known as Pam, had been reported as missing before her body was found in the River Don in Barnby Dun on 25 March.

On Wednesday, assistant coroner Simon Tait concluded Mrs Johnson, who worked at the city's Kingfisher Primary School, died as a result of suicide.

In earlier statements released by her family, Mrs Johnson was described as a much-loved wife and mother who was missed deeply.

Evidence heard in court stated Mrs Johnson had been reported missing from a house in Wheatley by her family on 14 March.

Despite extensive searches across the area, it took 11 days for police to find Mrs Johnson's body.

Mr Tait said that on the balance of probabilities, it was likely she had died on 14 March after intentionally entering the water while intoxicated.

Mr Tait concluded Mrs Johnson had taken her own life, adding: "She died as a result of drowning.

"On the balance of probabilities, she entered the river with the intention to take her own life."

Following Mrs Johnson's death, Kingfisher Primary School said it would create a sensory garden in her memory and to pay tribute to her love for the outdoors.

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