First picture of PC

This is the officer in an elite Scotland Yard protection unit who shot herself dead with her own gun.

Pc Amoreena Adams, 32, of the diplomatic protection squad, was found dead in a boiler room at the Territorial Policing Headquarters on Victoria Embankment.

She had suffered a single gunshot wound to the head and a 9mm Glock pistol was found by her side.

An investigation is under way into how the officer, who was suffering from depression, came to be posted to work at the armoury where the guns and ammunition are stored when not in use. Pc Adams had been distressed over the recent deaths of her father and brother and the break-up of relationships with two male colleagues. One source said: "I'm amazed that someone in her vulnerable position was working in an armoury."

Two handwritten notes were found in her belongings on Sunday night. Her colleagues have been offered counselling.

Pc Adams, who was known as Amy, had only just had her firearms licence returned after it was suspended due to concerns about her mental state. Today her mother Jacqueline issued a statement saying: "Amy was a loving daughter who was dear to us and was incredibly committed to the police service. She will be sadly missed. We are struggling to come to terms with this tragedy."

Senior officers also paid tribute to the officer who had served with the unit at Canon Row police station for three years and had been a police officer since 1994. Commander Peter Loughborough said: "The death of a colleague in such circumstances affects us all, but our thoughts must go particularly to Amy's family, to those who knew her best, and to those for whom the bonds of affection were most strong."

The diplomatic squad protects MPs and embassies and Pc Adams had worked as a police guard at Downing Street.