Tributes paid to 'lovely' grandmother-of-five, 48, found dead after fire in woods

Tributes have been paid to a grandmother-of-five who was found dead after a fire in woodlands.

The body of Julie Ainsley, 48, was found in a wooded area off Williams Road in Moston, Manchester, following reports of a person on fire on Saturday evening.

Police have said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

Ms Ainsley is survived by her four children and five grandchildren. Another grandchild is on the way.

Her daughter Jade Riley told Manchester Evening News her mother was “always happy and making people laugh”.

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Ms Riley said: "She was obviously battling with her issues, but most of the time she made out she was fine.

"She had five grandchildren and one on the way and she loved her family."

Ms Riley’s ex-partner Steven Riley told Manchester Evening News that Ms Ainsley had battled with mental health issues.

"She was great, she was a mum and a grandma," he said.

"She lived in Moston all of her life. We still got on really well and I loved her, she was my kid's mam.

"She struggled with her mental health and it had got worse, she just struggled with everyday life."

Friends and family paid dozens of tributes to Ms Ainsley on social media.

Olivia Sheridan said: "Can’t believe what I’m hearing Julie, you were so loved and such a lovely woman.

"Thank you for all the memories over the years growing up, I just hope you're at peace Julie. We all love you."

Emergency services were called to reports of a person on fire shortly after 6pm on Saturday night. When they arrived, they discovered the body of a woman.

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Greater Manchester Police said: “Emergency services attended and sadly found the body of a woman.

“A scene is in place and an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire Service said: “We were called at 6.01pm to a person on fire in an area of woodland off Williams Road in Moston.

“Initial enquiries suggest a fire in a woodland area which involved a female casualty.”

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