A DEMENTIA sufferer whose body was found on Hawnby Moor in freezing conditions had never gone missing before, an inquest heard yesterday (Tuesday).

Retired teacher, Barbara Colling, 68, a widow, of Feversham Road, Helmsley, disappeared on January 28, but it was not until February 13 that she was found dead in a field on the moor by a gamekeeper checking his traps, the North Yorkshire East coroner, Michael Oakley, was told at the hearing in Scarborough.

The discovery followed extensive searches by volunteers and search and rescue teams for nearly two weeks.

A consultant pathologist, Dr Musa Musa had initially said that the cause of her death was unascertained, but pressed by Mr Oakley, agreed that “on the balance of probabilities” she had died from hypothermia because of the extreme weather conditions.

Paramedic Jason Boardman said in a statement that clothing on Mrs Colling’s body was snow-covered, and she had had a ruck sack and was wearing walking gear.

Ruth Sutcliffe, a carer, said Mrs Colling was still coming to terms with losing her partner Clive, a university head of department, the previous year.

Despite being diagnosed with dementia and moderate Alzheimer’s disease, Mrs Colling was determined to live an independent life.

She wasn’t at home when her carer had called at 8.45am on January 28, but that was not unusual because she regularly went for walks, the inquest heard.

“She used to go for 20-40 minute walks. Sometimes she used to go to her late husband’s grave.”

However, when she had not returned after 10am, Mrs Sutcliffe reported her missing to police.

An extensive search was launched and continued for a number of days.

“She had never gone missing previously when she went for walks and we had never had to go looking for her before,” Mrs Sutcliffe said.

Mrs Colling had a mobile phone but it was said she was too confused to use it.

Alistair Barker, a registered mental health nurse, said Mrs Colling had been referred to him by her family doctor for assessment. He described her as “a very pleasant, shy lady”.

He said dementia sufferers could just wander off and not know where they were, but it had never happened before in Mrs Colling’s case.

Otherwise her family, who had paid for an extensive package of care that went way beyond normal, would have taken steps to prevent it, he added.

Cross-examined by the coroner, Mr Barker said: “Someone can wander off, and there is usually evidence they have done it in the past, but not in Mrs Colling’s case.”

Her family doctor had said in a statement to the coroner that Mrs Colling suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Oakley said Mrs Colling had gone out equipped for walking.

“She had not wandered off before otherwise steps would have been taken to ensure she didn’t do so.”