MYSTERY still surrounds the death of Joyce Norton, 80, found in the brook at Dawlish on January 15.
An inquest in Teignmouth last week heard that police had ruled out foul play, but reasons as to how the retired domestic worker from Overbrook entered the water were unclear.
Torbay and South Devon coroner Ian Arrow recorded an open verdict.
Found in the stream next to her sheltered accommodation, suspicions were initially raised as a window in her apartment was found open on the morning of her death in freezing conditions. It had been suggested that someone had tried to burgle her house but as large amounts of cash and jewels were left untouched, detectives discounted the possibility.
A post-mortem revealed that Miss Norton had died from heart disease and being immersed in cold water.
Her brother, Dennis Norton, said that she had been known to get quite confused at times and used to go out wandering in the Manor gardens late at night.
'I had to go out and find her sometimes,' he said, 'and have found her confused and not knowing where she has been. She was greatly affected by the death of her sister Rose 24 years ago.'
Joyce Gale, a friend of hers who lived at Overbrook, said: 'On the whole she never complained, was tidy and could still take care of herself. She had fallen badly on a few occasions and three days before her death she suffered a knee injury.
'She was joking and laughing when I last saw her and was not depressed in any way. I just can't think what happened.'
Even though Miss Norton suffered from confusion and had had several falls, South Devon coroner Ian Arrow recorded an open verdict saying that that there was no evidence that she fell into the stream. Foul play and suicide were also ruled out.
Mr Arrow said: 'We have heard that Miss Norton used to take walks at night that may have been a result of her confused state. We are also aware that she was prone to falling.
'It is possible that she went out for a walk in a confused state and there are signs pointing that she left her house in unusual circumstances, that is to say, the door was locked and the window was open.
'It appears to me that it was unlikely that she deliberately intended to go into the Brook. I cannot see any evidence that there was any act on her behalf that deliberately led her to be in the Brook. Furthermore, I have no evidence before me of her slipping.
'Due to these circumstances I cannot give a precise reason as to how she got into the stream. I therefore have to record an open verdict.'