The serene banks of the Peak Forest Canal in Marple became the site of a profound community tragedy last week, as police confirmed the woman found deceased was 52-year-old Nina Burgess from Tameside.

The discovery was made at the iconic Marple Aqueduct, a structure that links communities, shortly after midday on Friday, August 22nd. Emergency services, including police officers and paramedics, rushed to the scene following a urgent concern for welfare. Despite their rapid response, they were unable to save her, and Ms. Burgess was sadly pronounced dead on the grass near the water’s edge.

For hours, the normally bustling aqueduct, which carries the canal high above the River Goyt, fell into a hushed silence. A perimeter of police tape sealed off the area as detectives worked meticulously to understand the circumstances that led to the devastating incident. The disruption was a poignant symbol of the shock rippling through the neighborhoods of Marple, Romiley, and beyond.

In a update that has provided some solace to a grieving community, Greater Manchester Police have now concluded their investigation. They have confirmed that Nina’s death is not being treated as suspicious. While this news brings a measure of clarity, it does little to diminish the loss felt by those who knew her.

The case has been formally passed to the South Manchester Coroner’s Court. An inquest will be opened in due course, a procedural step to formally record the cause of Nina Burgess’s death and bring a final sense of closure to this heartbreaking chapter.

The life of Nina Burgess, a woman described as a beloved member of her community, was cut short on that fateful afternoon. As the official processes continue, the thoughts of the entire Stockport community remain with her family and friends, who are now left to navigate a future without her.