Body Confirmed As Teacher

2 May 2013, 09:08 | Updated: 2 May 2013, 11:23

A Catholic primary school have asked their community to pray for the soul of a teacher whose body's been found in the River Great Ouse in Bedford.

Leda Bolden, 39, (pictured) was an assistant headteacher at Our Lady Catholic Primary School in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

The married mum of one had been missing since leaving her home in Waterloo Road, Bedford on the evening of Easter Sunday 31 March 2013 following what had been described as a 'routine family disagreement'.

She was last seen at a local convenience store.

Leda's body was discovered at around about 4pm on Tuesday 30 April 2013 in the main River Great Ouse close to Priory Marina.  Fire officers who had been conducting routine boat testing and training on the river made the discovery.

Specialist police dive teams recovered the body.  A post mortem examination has taken place, but the cause of death hasn't yet been determined.

Bedfordshire Police have told Heart Leda Bolden's death isn't being treated as suspicious.

In a statement on their website, Our Lady Catholic Primary School in Hitchin said: "We are greatly saddened by the news today, that the body found in Bedford has now been officially identified as that of Mrs Leda Bolden.

"Here at Our Lady School governors, staff and pupils have lost a much loved and respected friend, colleague and teacher. We ask you to join with the whole school community in praying for the repose of her soul and for her family at this very sad time."

Prayers were said at a pre-arranged service at Our Lady Church, Hitchin on the evening of Wednesday 1 May 2013.

Bedfordshire Police have thanked the public and the media for their support during the search for Leda.

An inquest into Leda's death was opened and adjourned on Thursday 2 May.