TRIBUTES have been paid to the woman who was found dead in a house in Helmsley.

The body of Rina Yasutake, 49, was found when police searched a property in Bondgate at about 6pm last Tuesday.

Police released her identity on Friday and issued an appeal for information from anyone who knew her.

Sarah Matthews, who now lives in Wales, said she attended Queen Mary’s School with Rina from September 1980 to July 1986 - initially at the school’s original home at Duncombe Park, and then at Baldersby Park in Topcliffe.

At this time, Sarah said Rina was known as Rina Calladine, with her Japanese name being Yasutake.

“I shared a dormitory for two years with Rina and another pupil,” she said. “Rina was a very hard-working teenager with a bright academic future, she was an amazing artist and a lovely girl.

“She was quiet and studious, but she did have a good sense of humour. She participated in all aspects of school life. I am so shocked and saddened by her death.”

Ms Matthews said that Rina was highly academic at school and won a scholarship in 1986 to sixth form at Wycombe Abbey School in Buckinghamshire in the subjects of history, English, Latin and Greek.

Ms Matthews said she believed that, after Wycombe Abbey, Rina attended Cambridge University.

Rina and her family lived in Nunnington before moving to Helmsley in 1998, she added.

Three people - a 75-year-old woman, a 46-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman - were arrested in connection with the discovery of her body but have since been released on conditional bail.

Police have said they need to establish a timeline of Rina’s movements before she died.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Nichola Holden, said: “We realise this incident has caused concern among the local community in Helmsley and we thank everyone for their understanding while we carry out what is a very sensitive investigation into Rina’s death.

“To assist with our investigation, I am appealing to local people and anyone in the wider area who knew Rina, not just as a friend, but also by sight, to please contact us, no matter when you last saw her. Your information could be vital in helping us establish the timeline prior to her death.”

Chris Parkin, who runs a business in Bondgate and is also a member of Helmsley Town Council, said: “The community is somewhat shocked - to see so many police vehicles in Helmsley is very rare.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 12180179672.