IPSWICH: Neighbours of a murder victim have told how she used to picnic at the beauty spot where her body was discovered.

The body of Ruth Jacobs, 60, of Spinner Close, Ipswich, was found at Needham Lake around 8am on Sunday.

Anita Reid, who lives opposite the flat where Mrs Jacobs has lived for ten years, said: “It’s a terrible shock. I think she suffered from depression.

“She used to go to Needham Lake for picnics. She used to go there in the summer.”

Close friend Gwen Clarke, of Fulham Way, Ipswich, was also stunned, she said: “When I heard the news I was completely and utterly shocked. It’s terrible what has happened. It was Ruth’s 60th birthday last August and she had her party here.”

Mrs Clarke’s daughter Chenice, 18, said: “Ruth was a kind, funny and energetic woman. I am in utter shock and devastated.”

Police arrested a 58-year-old man at Wissett Lake, near Halesworth at 3.45pm on Sunday in connection with Mrs Jacobs’ death.

He was taken to hospital and last night police said he was no longer under arrest but had been detained under the Mental Health Act.

They are still treating the death as a murder.

Police have yet to officially name Mrs Jacobs, as it is believed some relatives have yet to be told.

It has been revealed that her body was discovered in the water by a woman, who alerted a nearby angler.

Police cordons remained in place at Needham Lake yesterday, although the taped off area at Wissett Lake was cleared.

Meanwhile, officers were also at the block of flats where Mrs Jacobs lived after carrying out house-to-house enquiries in the close.

Lisa McGrann, a spokeswoman for Suffolk Constabulary, said: “The man remains in police custody at hospital and is yet to be questioned.

“Police want to speak to anyone who was in the area of Needham Lake between 4pm Saturday and 8am Sunday, particularly in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“They also want to speak to anyone who was at Wissett Lake between 4pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday.”

Anyone with any information should telephone 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.