Body of fashion model found

Katoucha Niane, a former top model for world class designers,  was found dead Thursday, February 28 in the Seine River near the  Gariglaiano Bridge in Paris, France.
Simply known as Katoucha, the  47-year-old high fashion model and mother of three, had been missing  since January and was last seen returning home to her houseboat near the  Paris-Alexandre III Bridge. Her handbag was later found on the boat.
An  autopsy did not reveal any signs of foul play and there is speculation  that she may have accidentally fallen into the river.
After retiring  from the runway, she became an activist against female circumcision.  Recounting her own experiences at age nine in her book, Katoucha, In My  Flesh, published in 2007, she said, I will never get the incomparable  pain out of my head.
In 1994, she created her own clothing label,  after years of modeling for designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin,  Christian Lacroix and others. She was one of the first Africans to  achieve top model status.
Most recently, Katoucha embraced the art of  acting as a beautiful and rebellious woman in Remata, which may be  released later this year.