Kim was described as a “kind-hearted” woman who would “light up every room”
An “amazing mum-of-three” was found dead following a major search at a reservoir. The body of a woman was recovered from Strinesdale Reservoir on Sunday (August 17).
Emergency services attended the beauty spot, situated on the A62 between Oldham and Delph, at around 4pm that day after reports of a woman ‘getting into difficulty’ in the water. A major rescue operation was launched and the fire service’s specialist water incident unit was called to the scene before a body was recovered at around 6.25pm, the MEN reports.
The woman has now been identified as 33-year-old Kimberley Johnson, known as Kim, from Oldham, a spokesperson for Rochdale Coroners’ Court confirmed.
Paying an emotional tribute, her close friend Tanya Kennedy described her as an “amazing woman” who would “light up every room she walked into”. She confirmed she was a mum-of-three from Rochdale.
She said: “Kim was such an amazing woman, she took me in when I was younger and from there she always treated me like a sister. I really wish I could speak to her one last time.
“I absolutely adore Kim and she has been a big role model for me, walking around Rochdale or even sitting at the canal messing about.
“Kim was a really important person to me and I regret not messaging her more or seeing her more often. She was one of those people who would tell you as it is but also the most kind hearted, soft spoken person I’ve ever met.
“I am really going to miss Kim, always lighting up every room she walked into. My thoughts and prayers are all to the family at this time. Rest in peace babe.”
In a public post on social media, Curtis King wrote: “R.I.P Kim Louise Johnson my love and thoughts go out to all your family. A beautiful soul lost way too young.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said previously: “Emergency services responded to an incident at Strinesdale Reservoir at around 4:50pm yesterday (Sunday 17 August 2025) after reports of a woman getting into difficulty in the water.
“Sadly, the body of a woman was recovered. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.”
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