We’re devastated, says mother of woman who died near pond in Kensington Gardens

The family of a charity worker believed to have frozen to death after falling through ice on a pond in Kensington Gardens today spoke of their "utter devastation".

Jessie Stafford was found lying dead next to the icy water just yards from Princess Diana's former home.

The 29-year-old, from Bayswater, had scratches to her head and was drenched from the waist down. She was described as being well-dressed, was wearing hiking boots and had a rucksack.

Scotland Yard said it was treating the death, on Friday, as "non-suspicious" after a post-mortem examination showed she died of hypothermia.

Today her family — mother Sheelagh, an English teacher; architect father Jake, 71; and older sister Martha, 31 —said they were struggling to come to terms with what had happened.

Mrs Stafford, 65, told the Standard: "The whole ­family are devastated. We, and all her many friends who all came to the house and left flowers. She was a beautiful girl. We are devastated, devastated, devastated."

In an earlier statement, the family said: "Jessie was a wonderful daughter and sister. She is a west London girl. We, and all her many friends, will miss her more than words can say."

Neighbours today expressed their shock at Ms Stafford's death, but said she seemed to have become depressed recently.

One added: "She was a tall girl and very pretty. Then she seemed to shrink — she seemed really depressed, insular. It was heartbreaking."

A police source confirmed Ms Stafford had reportedly been suffering depression, but said: "We still don't know exactly why she had gone to the lake."

One theory police are investigating is that she may have fallen through the ice, dragged herself out and then frozen to death in the extreme cold.

An inquest is expected to open tomorrow at City of Westminster coroner's court.