When the body of a 43-year-old Seattle woman washed ashore in Cultus Bay Sunday, the event solved a week-long mystery in Edmonds.

According to the Island County Sheriff’s Department, drowning victim Karen Lynn Christenson probably walked into the water at the Edmonds ferry dock of her own accord Feb. 19. Law enforcement in Edmonds located her abandoned car at the dock earlier this week.

Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Jan Smith said evidence found in the car indicating Christenson recently was despondent and suicidal.

Her body was discovered on a beach by two kayakers rowing in the Sandy Hook area at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Sheriff’s personnel, volunteers from Fire District 3 and Island County Coroner Robert Bishop investigated the scene.

Smith said Bishop’s findings show that Christenson died as a result of saltwater drowning. An autopsy showed no signs of foul play.