School cook died from hypothermia

Linda Gent was found in a freezer at the school

A cook found dead in a freezer at the Essex school where she worked died from hypothermia, a coroner said.

Linda Gent, 55, was found at South Benfleet Primary on 27 September, 15 hours after she was reported missing.

The Essex coroner said post-mortem tests identified hypothermia as the cause of death. Pills were also found close to the large chest freezer.

Further toxicology tests are being carried out. Police are not treating the death as suspicious.