A SHOCKED community today came together to mourn the death of Joanne Coombs and speak of the sadness among residents.As the news broke of Mrs Coombs' death, community leaders in Dovercourt and Brantham where she lived said people who knew the Coombs family were in shock.

A SHOCKED community today came together to mourn the death of Joanne Coombs and speak of the sadness among residents.

As the news broke of Mrs Coombs' death, community leaders in Dovercourt and Brantham where she lived said people who knew the Coombs family were in shock.

Paul Revell, chairman of Brantham Parish Council, said: “I'm very stunned and shocked, as will be the whole community here.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the family today.

“My wife and daughter knew Joanne and Natasha very well as they were in the Brantham Amateur Theatrical Society together. They are very upset.

“We are all trying to come to terms with what has happened.”

Reverend Erwin Lammens, during a service today at All Saints' Church, Dovercourt, said: “You have probably heard this morning the sad news about the mother of Natasha Coombs, who passed away.

“We don't know any details as yet. I would like to dedicate this service to her and the Coombs' family.”

He said to the congregation: “Let us devote this service to her.”

A spokesman from East Bergholt High, where Natasha went to school, said the school was still coming to terms with the news but that their thoughts are with Mr Coombs' at this time.