A 72-year-old woman who sparked a police hunt after she went missing may have died by drowning despite being found on land, an inquest has heard.

Sally Ann Braff was found on farmland near Buscot on December 17 after she was reported missing from her Faringdon home two days earlier.

Read again: Body found in search for missing Sally

Although Oxford Coroner's Court is still waiting for a vital histology report, it is now suspected that the 72-year-old housekeeper died from drowning.

Coroner Darren Salter revealed the likely cause of death at an inquest opening yesterday morning.

A provisional date has been set for the full inquest on April 22.