A DISTRAUGHT family have pleaded for help to find out how a woman found lying among bins died.

Jane Alexandra Helbin's body was discovered by refuse workers doing their rounds at flats in Southampton.

But mystery still surrounds her death with police saying it is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

Today Jane's brother John Helbin appealed for witnesses to come forward so his family could have the answers they wanted.

It was the second tragedy to hit the family in a week, as Jane’s father lost his partner to bowel cancer just days before.

Daily Echo:

Her brother, John Helbin (above), believes Jane had been walking to a bus stop on Sunday night to return to Antelope House, where she was being treated, when she died.

John said: “I just want answers about what happened to my sister.

“If it was a tragic accident there’s no blame attached. If anyone knows anything, please come forward. The quicker it’s sorted out the better.”

John paid tribute to his sister, who he described as a popular, generous person who many people relied on and who was heavily involved in the community.

The 58-year-old mental health advocate from Romford, Essex, last spoke to her on June 17 when they had made plans for him to visit her at her Coxford Close home. The last time the pair saw each other was on May 21.

He said: “The last time I saw her, I got her sent out of hospital so that we could go to Poole.

“She’s going to be missed. She would sell hair off a camel’s back and make money for charity.”

The 51-year-old had moved to Southampton with her husband in the 1980s and spent 17 years working for HM Customs and Excise until 2004. She spoke English, Polish and French and enjoyed travelling and scuba diving.

But Jane suffered with mental health problems and was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder in 1995 which led to her losing her job and the breakdown of her marriage.

For the past five years she had volunteered at the Cancer Research UK shop in Shirley.

In her spare time the Pentecostal Christian was part of a music group in Bedford House and attended Shirley Warren Community Church.

Since 1995 she had spent at least 12 years in hospital and was last admitted in January.

Daily Echo:

But she had been on the mend and John had hoped she would be well enough to return home in August. He said she had been in the care of the hospital, but she had been home before she died.

Now he is calling for witnesses to come forward and help police find out what happened.

Officers have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with Jane’s death.

John is planning a funeral for Jane at Hollybrook Cemetery in Southampton before taking her ashes back to Essex where they will be scattered on their mother’s grave.