A WOMAN whose decomposed body was found in woodland near Raikes Lane had argued with her boyfriend before she disappeared - but the cause of her death is still a mystery.

Rebecca Mey, also known as Abigail Yeadon, aged 37, from Redditch, Worcestershire, was found by a tree trunk more than six weeks after she had last been seen by her boyfriend, Bolton Coroner's Court heard.

Dog walker Nathan Coop made the grim discovery near Raikes Clough on Thursday, October 10.

Witness statements read by Alan Walsh, coroner for Greater Manchester West, revealed Ms Mey had been at Knowsley Safari Park with her boyfriend, David Howe, on Saturday, August 31, but they had argued later that day while at Sainsbury’s in Manchester.

Ms Mey walked away from Mr Howe and was not seen by him or her family again.

Paul Bleakley, a dog walker, spoke to police after the woman’s body was found.

Mr Walsh said he had seen a woman matching Ms Mey’s description more than once near where the body was found at about the end of the schools’ summer holiday.

He said, in a statement, that she would never look at him or acknowledge him, and he said he got the impression she was depressed and might have wanted to be on her own.

Forensic pathologist Dr Naomi Carter could not ascertain a cause of death with post mortem examinations.

Police said their investigation found no evidence of foul play.

Victoria Moore, Ms Mey’s mother, said she had not been in touch with her daughter since June.

Ms Mey had previously been diagnosed with Aspergers’ syndrome, a developmental disorder, and suffered from hearing problems which affected her pronunciation of some words.


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Ms Moore, who did not attend the inquest, said in a statement that her daughter had gone missing for two days in 2009.

When she returned she had gnat bites on her face and said she had been outdoors for a few days and had taken pills.

She was also said to suffer from severe migraines, which had caused her to lose several jobs, the court heard yesterday.

Despite her difficulties she had obtained qualifications and was on a computing course near where she lived.

After the course she would travel to Manchester to see her boyfriend each week.

Ms Moore said: “She felt she had finally met her soul mate with Dave Howe.

“Her death came as a massive surprise. She seemed happy with her life.”

It is thought she may have travelled to Bolton because it was the next stop from Manchester and the cheapest for her to travel to.

Mr Walsh said: “An open conclusion is the only appropriate one to reach. I am satisfied there’s no explanation in relation to the very sad and lonely death of Rebecca Mey.

"I find it to be a tragic waste of life for a young lady who had overcome some of her health problems and obtained qualifications, then a relationship breakdown that led her, in her loneliness, to come to Bolton, the place of her death.

“I accept there’s a degree of mystery about the death and it’s unclear why she came to Bolton.

"She may have felt comfortable to be there in the woodlands after the incident several years ago (when she disappeared in woodland).”

Mr Walsh recorded an open verdict.