Hampstead Heath Death

A woman who died at a bathing pond on Hampstead Heath has been identified as a Swedish photographer.

Sussie Ahlburg, 50, who lived in Holborn, central London, was found in the ladies' pool yesterday afternoon after being reported missing by her family.

She had gone swimming at the popular site in north west London on Sunday, and relatives raised the alarm around 9.20pm that day when she did not come home.

According to her website, Ms Ahlburg had photographs published in the Guardian, The Times and Time Magazine, and she had recently started making films.

A colleague said he was too upset to talk.

Detective Sergeant Trevor Plumb said:

"Sussie's death is being treated as unexplained but we are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen her around the ladies' pond during Sunday August 4.

"Sussie is five feet 10 inches tall, slim, greying hair, long legs, wearing a white 'Speedo' swimming hat, blue/transparent prescription swimming goggles, dark navy/black tankini.

"She would have travelled to the pond using her folding black Brompton bicycle."

A post-mortem examination is due to take place at St Pancras Mortuary.

A spokesman for the City of London Corporation, which runs the heath, said:

"We are currently assisting police with enquiries into the circumstances of this very sad death.

"The swimming community on the heath is a very close one and our thoughts go out to the family and friends who have been affected by this news".