THE cause of death a woman who was missing for 11 weeks, prompting a large-scale search operation, has been confirmed.

Iona Cecchini was last seen in Witney town centre on Monday, February 12. Thames Valley police announced they had found her on April 30, in the River Windrush, Witney, almost three months later.

Following the 76-year-old’s disappearance, police divers took part in a major search operation of 2km of the River Windrush and a specialist dive team from Avon and Somerset were brought in.

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Marine units, specialist search and rescue, the criminal investigation department, the missing investigation support team and the national police air service searched nearly 2km of the river in the first two weeks.

The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are currently unknown.

An inquest opening at Oxford Coroner’s Court on Thursday (May 23) has confirmed that, after a post-mortem examination, a medical cause of death has been provided as drowning.

Assistant coroner Nicholas Graham opened the inquest and it was heard that Mrs Cecchini was a homemaker who resided in Dark Lane, Witney.

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Her death was verified by a police officer at 7.07pm on April 30.

Mr Graham has set a date for a full inquest to establish the circumstances surrounding Mrs Cecchini’s death.

It will take place at the same court on October 14 at 10am.