A FAMILY was today grieving the tragic death of their loved one Michele Wood whose body was found on a farm in Nacton.Mrs Wood, a practice nurse from Ipswich, went missing from her home in Medway Road, near Landseer Park, on Monday - a day after her 45th birthday.

Naomi Cassidy

A FAMILY was today grieving the tragic death of their loved one Michele Wood whose body was found on a farm in Nacton.

Mrs Wood, a practice nurse from Ipswich, went missing from her home in Medway Road, near Landseer Park, on Monday - a day after her 45th birthday.

Yesterday her husband, Pete, 21-year-old daughter, Hannah, and 17-year-old son Ben received the devastating news that a body found by a culvert on the farm was hers.

Reverend Paul Daltry from St Luke's Church in Ipswich today paid tribute to Mrs Wood, a passionate Christian and dedicated member of the Cliff Lane church. on their behalf because they were too upset to speak publicly.

He said: “She was lovely, vivacious and full of life. She had an infectious laugh and was very down to earth.

“In times like this you think why on earth did you not do something God? But somehow God is there for them now.”

At the end of January this year Mrs Wood, who worked at Ravenswood Health Clinic for the last 17 years, suffered a major stress-related breakdown. Rev Daltry saw her shortly before she disappeared and said she appeared to be on the mend, though it appears she never fully recovered.

She was reported missing at 5.40pm on Monday by Mr Wood, who had last seen her at 9.40am that day.

Rev Daltry added: “Her husband thought she had gone out to get some milk but within an hour, he became concerned and knew something was amiss. He went out to look for her but that afternoon, he called police.”

A search investigation was launched but was called off yesterday after a member of the public reported seeing a body in Nacton.

Suffolk police today confirmed that the body belonged to Mrs Wood

She was found with a journal, which contained special readings and messages from friends, and a collection of family photographs.

Rev Daltry added: “Having the photographs on her showed the children how much she still loved them. She never rejected them - she just rejected herself.”

The case has been referred to the coroner and a post mortem was due to be conducted today.

For the Wood family's emotional farewell to Michele Wood see tomorrow's Star.

Would you like to pay tribute to her? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk