A body that was found at the docks in Bootle has been identified as a missing 22-year-old woman.
Katie Foulds was said to have been seen last walking towards the sea almost three months ago.
She was last seen at around 4.14pm on Wednesday, February 10 in St Annes on the Fylde coast, close to Pleasure Island.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
Footage from a nearby drone showed a figure walking down the beach towards the water 13 minutes after the last confirmed sighting of her.
Police thought this might have been Katie at the time but were unable to confirm for certain.
On April 19, emergency services were called out to reports a body had been found at the docks in Bootle.
A spokesperson for police said: "We were called around 5.30pm on April 19 to reports a body had been found at the docks at Bootle, Merseyside.
"A Home Office post mortem was conducted to help identify the body and initially proved inconclusive.
Keep up to date with what's going on in your area by entering your postcode below
However, following further tests, we can now confirm the body found is Katie, 22, who went missing from home in Blackburn on February 10 and was seen later that day in St Annes.
"The death is not being treated as suspicious.
Katie’s family have been informed and are being supported by officers.
"These are very sad and tragic circumstances and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time."
Mum Rachel Foulds posted: "It's with great sadness and a heavy heart I want to announce that a body was recovered from the sea last Monday and has now been identified as my beloved daughter, Katie.
"I just want to thank everyone for their loving support and kind wishes throughout this sorrowful time, especially those who went looking for her when she first went missing.
"RIP Katie."
We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @LivECHONews - the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account - real news in real time.
We're also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
