Catherine Gowing: Coroner John Gittins opens inquest

Catherine Gowing was last seen more than three weeks ago leaving a supermarket

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of Flintshire-based vet Catherine Gowing.

John Gittins, acting coroner for north east Wales, said a cause of death had been deferred.

Ms Gowing, 37, from New Brighton, disappeared on 12 October and human remains discovered last week have been identified as those of the missing vet.

Clive Sharp, 46, from Bethesda, Gwynedd, has been charged with murder and has been remanded in custody.

Human remains were discovered last Wednesday in a shallow pool at Sealand, Flintshire, and have since been confirmed as belonging to Ms Gowing.

Police are also awaiting identification of further human remains found on the banks of the River Dee near Chester on Friday.

Miss Gowing, who is originally from Kinnity, near Birr, in County Offaly, worked as a vet in Mold at the time of her disappearance.

She has not been seen since approximately 20:40 BST on Friday, 12 October when she was spotted on CCTV leaving an Asda supermarket in Queensferry.

Her burned-out Renault Clio was found near a disused quarry near her New Brighton home a week later.