School cook 'found dead in freezer'

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Officers said the body of Linda Gent, 53, was discovered at South Benfleet Primary School in Benfleet, Essex, late on a Saturday.

She had been reported missing 15 hours earlier.

Sources said detectives are not treating the incident as murder, but a report was being prepared for a coroner.

Police said a post-mortem examination had failed to reveal a cause of death and further tests were being carried out.

A source close to the inquiry added: "Her body was found in a freezer at the school."

Sources said one possibility being considered was that Mrs Gent, who lived in Benfleet, had killed herself.

Mrs Gent had worked at the school since the late 1980s and staff and children were said to be "devastated".

"Everyone connected with South Benfleet Primary School has been devastated by the sudden death of Linda Gent, our school cook," said head Dominic Carver.

"Mrs Gent was a hugely popular and highly-valued member of our catering team. Her positive contribution of about 20 years at the school has been magnificent."