Woman found dead after rape claim

Kim Corner had an eight-year-old daughter

A woman found dead on a beach in Teesside made a rape allegation five days before she died, police say.

The body of 34-year-old Kim Corner, from Billingham, was discovered by a dog walker at Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, on Saturday.

Results of a post-mortem examination proved to be inconclusive and further tests are being carried out.

On 22 October she told police she had suffered a sexual assault. A man was later charged with rape.

He appeared before magistrates in Teesside and was remanded in custody.

Cleveland Police said officers would be pursuing the rape allegations.

Police said that some vodka and a quantity of tablets, which she may have taken, were found close to her body.

There was also a framed picture of her and her eight-year-old daughter, and in her hands was her mobile telephone.

She was separated from her husband, who is now looking after the child.

Det Supt Tony Hutchinson, said: "Obviously as part of our current investigations we are looking to see if the alleged attack on her is linked to her death.

"I am confident her death was not by the hand of another, but it is important that we find out from everyone who knew Kim exactly what she was thinking and how she was acting, where she had been and who she was with in the days and hours leading to her death."