The commanding officer of HMS Ark Royal paid tribute to Lt Douglas

The body of Deputy Marine Engineer Lt Emma Douglas, 29, from Huntly in Aberdeenshire, was discovered on Sunday on board HMS Cornwall.

Commodore Alan Massey said news of her death has shocked her former crew members on HMS Ark Royal.

Police say a file is being prepared for the coroner.

She was a bubbly character with a great sense of fun and a true love of life Royal Navy spokesman

Lt Douglas graduated from Newcastle University before joining the Royal Navy in 2000.

She first served as an assistant marine engineer on HMS Ark Royal, where Cmdr Massey said she was very committed and enthusiastic.

He said: "She was very popular within the ship and her former crew members have been shocked at her death."

Lt Douglas fenced for the Royal Navy Amateur Fencing Association in her spare time.

Another Navy spokesman said the lieutenant was well respected.

"She was a bubbly character with a great sense of fun and a true love of life.

"As a family, the ship is devastated by the loss of a dear friend and colleague."

Specialist officers from Devon & Cornwall Police were called in by Ministry of Defence Police to investigate the death.

The results of a post-mortem examination were inconclusive and further tests are now being carried out.

A police spokesman says there were no obvious signs of violence.

She will be cremated at Buckie, near Elgin, on 16 November. Following the cremation her ashes will be scattered in the sea by the Royal Navy.

5th March 2008

An inquest heard she died from diabetic ketoacidosis, although diabetes was not diagnosed before her death.

In a narrative verdict aimed at answering a number of questions from the coroner, the jury criticised a medical consultation four days before Lt Douglas's death at which her diabetes was not diagnosed.