A woman whose body was found washed up on the west coast of Scotland was a beautiful and beloved daughter, her family said.
University of Ulster worker and keen sportswoman Karen Coyles, 47, disappeared from Ballycastle, Co Antrim, a fortnight ago. Her body was found on a beach on the Mull of Kintyre on Thursday.
A sniffer dog had earlier led searchers to a cliff path near Ballycastle and the hunt has concentrated on the waters around the seaside resort. Police are not treating her death as suspicious.
Her family said: "We are devastated at the loss of a beautiful, talented and beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend, but are comforted in the knowledge that Karen is now safe in the arms of her beloved mother.
"She will always and forever be in our hearts."
Officials in Scotland are still carrying out formalities before her body can be released to family. She has been identified by Scottish police.
She was reported missing after she failed to show up for work at the Biomedical Sciences Research Institute at the University of Ulster in Coleraine on September 12. Her car was later found at the gates of McQuillan's Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club where she played camogie.
Coastguard, PSNI officers, the Community Rescue Service and hundreds of GAA members as well as members of the local community had been involved in the hunt for Ms Coyles.
Professor Hugh McKenna said the university was "saddened and shocked" to hear of Ms Coyles's death.
"She was a highly valued, popular and respected member of staff who made an excellent contribution to the work of the School of Biomedical Sciences Research Institute," he said. Our thoughts and prayers are with Karen's family at this tragic time."
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