Tragic discovery Missing Irish woman Sinead Lyons found dead in New Hampshire lake

State police say they believe there was no 'foul play' involved

Sinead Lyons

Jamie McDowell

March 27 2021 10:53 AM

The body of a missing Irish woman has been recovered from a lake in New Hampshire, USA.

State police in the area confirmed that Sinéad Lyons' body was found in Ossipee Lake on Friday, two weeks after she went missing.

In a statement, the police said the 41-year-old had been discovered by New Hampshire Fish and Game officers at around 2pm during a coordinated search of the lake near in the town of Ossipee, New Hampshire.

Ms Lyons had last been seen walking her dog, a German Shepherd named Flossie on or around March 11.

The next day her white Volvo station wagon was discovered parked in the Ossipee Lake area.

It’s understood she had travelled to pick her dog up from a friend before going for a walk.

Sinéad's sister, Sandra, had been posting regular updates on the search and had appealed for any information regarding the whereabouts of her older sister.

The police thanked the public for "providing information leading to her discovery and to our partners in public safety who assisted in several coordinated searches."

Capt. Michael Eastman of the state police said that they believe what they have believed all along in terms of what happened to Ms Lyons, that she was walking along the edge of a "pressure ridge" and fell through the ice where a major river comes into the lake.

A pressure ridge is an ice hazard where ice shelves meet and overlap and fold. They account for a significant portion of mortality of people walking and driving on ice.

He added: "I would say that's probably where she went into the water. It's more than likely she's been down there for the entirety of this investigation."

Sinead Lyons was last seen walking with her dog

On Friday night Sandra Lyons took to social media in tribute to her sister.

She posted: ‘It’s with a heavy heart that I write this, my beautiful big sister has been found along with Flossie. They have both sadly passed away and are shining down on us all from the nights sky.

"My family and I are so touched by the kindness, generosity and love that we have been shown. We would like to thank each of you for this.

"We would like to thank the officers of New Hampshire State Police and for those that worked along side them to find my big sis.

"Sinéad I love you, your light will never be dimmed, your laughter and joy will never be forgotten.

"Love you, your little sis, Sandra.’

In an earlier appeal on social media to help find her missing sister, Sandra had said her "beautiful big sister Sinéad and her dog Flossie are still missing.

"There have been no confirmed sightings of either my sister or Flossie.

"Please help find them, I would like to thank everyone for sharing my posts please keep doing so. Our family have been amazed by the kindness that we have been shown by everyone. Together we will find them!"

Local news reports said the day after the missing woman's car was found, authorities kicked off a multi-agency search that included land, water, and air.

Crews canvassed the area by foot, with drones and a helicopter.

State Police Lt James Fogarty said the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department put its airboat on the ice and explored open-water areas of the lake.

A remote vehicle was also used to check under the ice, according to WMUR-9News.

Fogarty said he had evidence to believe Lyons had been in the Ossipee area and may have gone on a hiking trip with her dog, and from the start of the search he said there was no reason to suspect foul play.