Family of tragic Joanne believe she was killed

Narrative inquest verdict on woman found in canal

- BY AMY FENTON

THE family of a woman whose body was found in a river four months after she disappeared remain convinced she was murdered.

Joanne Nield, 50, was reported missing to police on April 11 in 2023 after her support worker had been unable to get in touch with her.

She had also failed to attend appointments or collect prescriptions Accrington on March 13, which was "very unlike Joanne".

Three months after Joanne was reported missing, on July 7, her body was pulled from the River Hyndburn near Rishton.

A post mortem could not determine the cause of death, due to the level of decomposition, but ruled out natural causes and identified a potentially suspicious injury to her throat.

Joanne from Darwen had last been seen in Accrington on March 13, "one of the coldest days of the year," when CCTV had captured her briefly speaking to a motorist in the town centre.

She was also seen in a phone box, possibly taking shelter, for around 55 minutes but no calls were made or received.

Police initially treated Joanne's disappearance as a 'high risk missing from home' case but the investigation took a dramatic turn after a witness came forward on June 20.