The Royal Navy has confirmed it is investigating the death of a female officer aboard HMS Edinburgh.

Lieutenant Sara Hellawell, 26, was found dead on 16 June when the destroyer, known as the Fortress of the Sea, was moored in Angola, West Africa.

It is not yet known how the deputy marine engineer officer died.

A spokesman said: "Her next of kin have been informed. The thoughts and sympathies of the Royal Navy are with Sara's family."

Lieutenant Hellawell's body is being repatriated from Cape Town on Wednesday.

HMS Edinburgh left Portsmouth in May for the South Atlantic and is not due to return until the end of the year.

The ship is also due to visit the Cape Verde and Falkland Islands.

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