Richmond News
Tribute paid to Richmond Council worker and mother found in Hampton Hill pond
6:13pm Tuesday 21st February 2012
The chief executive of the council has paid tribute to a long-serving member of staff who was found dead in her garden pond.
Police launched an investigation into the unexplained death of Jean Ryan, 52, after she was discovered face down in the water at her home in Cranmer Road, Hampton Hill.
Mrs Ryan, who had worked for Richmond Council for nearly 20 years and was known affectionately as Jeannie, was a development officer in the adult social care department. Her job was to improve services that help vulnerable people live more independently.
Gillian Norton, chief executive of Richmond Council, said: “We are saddened at her death and our thoughts and sympathies are with her family at this difficult time.”
Police stood guard outside Mrs Ryan’s house, where she was thought to have lived with her husband and two young sons, for 24-hours-a-day last week.
Fulham Mortuary has carried out a post-mortem examination and concluded Mrs Ryan died by drowning.
Neighbours of the family’s detached house said the emergency services arrived in the quiet street after Mrs Ryan was found dead at about 1.20pm on Thursday, February 9.
A mother living opposite, who asked not to be named, said she saw Mrs Ryan’s son getting ready for school on the same morning.
She said: “She was a mum with two lovely boys. We exchanged sugar and things, they were a nice family.
“They did their routine in the morning when they went to school and when I left here they were getting ready. I saw her son at the window waiting. He was just in the window and looked like he was waiting to go to school.
“I didn’t see her that morning.”
West London Coroner’s Court opened an inquest on Monday, February 20, and adjourned it until police conclude their investigation.
A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Officers continue to investigate the circumstances and at this stage it is being treated as an unexplained death.”
Police arrested a 46-year-old man, believed to be Mrs Ryan’s husband, on the day she was found and have released him on bail until April.
Did you know Mrs Ryan? Contact the newsroom on 0208 744 4275, or email pteed@london.newsquest.co.uk