Mystery remains surrounding the death of a 98-year-old who was found fully dressed and submerged in bathwater.

The body of Isabella Clark was discovered in the bathroom of her home on Bishop's Road, Hunstanton, on November 15.

An inquest into her death, held this week, heard that she lived independently and was visited daily by her daughters, Wendy and Janice. 

On the morning of her death, Wendy found her mother dressed in her night clothes under water in the bath.

The daughter dialled 999 but despite the efforts of paramedics, Mrs Clark - who was known as Bella - was declared dead at the scene. 

Jacqueline Lake, the senior coroner for Norfolk, told the inquest: “Mrs Clark had some significant health problems. 

“She could not see or hear very well and there is evidence that she had been in some low mood. 

"She could no longer do many of the things she enjoyed, such as playing board games and watching television.” 

Evidence heard that she had previously told her daughters that she was “fed up” and had asked to be “taken abroad to be put to sleep”.

Wendy said: "We always talked our mother out of this and told her how much she was loved." 

The day before her death, Wendy described her mother, a retired business owner, as being “in good spirits”.

Mrs Clark had also left a towel and fresh clothes out that morning, and recently purchased a birthday card and prepared a shopping list.

Mrs Lake said: "There's no evidence to tell me exactly what happened. 

“It’s not revealed by the evidence whether Mrs Clark had any intention at that time or whether it was an accident; whether she just fell into the bath.”

Concluding the hearing, she added: “Mrs Clark drowned. The evidence does not reveal her intention at the time.” 

Paying tribute to Mrs Clark, her daughters said she had been “generous, kind, and strong-willed" and had enjoyed playing board games and watching television. 

  • Do you need support? Samaritans can be contacted 24/7 on 116 123. The NHS First Response Service can be reached on 111 selecting option 2.   
  • To pay tribute to a loved one, email norfolkobituaries@newsquest.co.uk     
  • To read all obituaries and tributes join the Facebook group Norfolk's Loved & Lost.