A WOMAN "in her 50's" was found dead off Southend seafront this morning.

Western Esplanade was closed for several hours by Essex Police while emergency services attended the scene on the beach.

Her death isn't being treated as suspicious.

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Here's a recap of today's events: 

  • Western Esplanade was closed around 9am with reports of a serious incident nearby
  • The Echo first hears reports body has been discovered on the beach nearby
  • Olivers on the Beach, a cafe on Western Esplanade, then announced it's closure, around 10am. The body was believed to have been found close by.
  • Essex Police then confirmed a woman had been found dead.

A statement from the force, read: "We were called to concerns around 9.15am this morning (Monday 24 May) after the body of a woman was found in the water along Western Esplanade, Southend.

"Emergency services attended and, sadly, a woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Her death is currently being treated as unexplained but is not believed to be suspicious."

  • It then emerged the woman was in her 50s, however Essex Police declined to comment further.
  • Several councillors offered their condolences to the woman's family and friends.
  • The East of England Ambulance service offered a statement of their own. It read: "We responded to an emergency call shortly after 9am regarding an incident in Southend-on-Sea.

"Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the patient was pronounced dead at the scene."