Gardaí in Waterford have launched a murder investigation following the result of a post mortem examination on the body of Meg Walsh.
The 35-year-old Waterford city woman went missing two weeks ago and her body was recovered from the River Suir yesterday afternoon.
Preliminary findings show that the deceased suffered severe trauma injuries to her upper body.
A reconstruction of her last known movements is being organised by the gardaí for this evening.
The State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, carried out a post mortem at Waterford Regional Hospital to establish the cause of her death.
Fr Paul Murphy, the priest who had been liaising with the Walsh family, said the local community was devastated by Ms Walsh's death.
She was last seen in the Ballinakill area of Waterford city on 1 October. An extensive search of the area had been continuing since her disappearance was reported.
Her car was later found in a carpark 2km from her home.
