Mystery surrounds ballerina's tragic death

The body of a missing ballerina has been found in a lake, in the United States, two days after her abandoned car was located nearby.

The New York Post reports Raffaella Maria Stroik, 23, was discovered in Mark Twain Lake in rural Monroe County in Missouri at approximately 9.40am.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Sergeant Eric Brown said they are awaiting autopsy results.

"We don't see anything that has given us a solid direction right now," he said.

The dancer was reported missing on Monday after a state park ranger found her black 2012 Volkswagen Jetta in a parking lot near the lake.

At that stage, Stroik hadn't been reported missing however she was soon after the discovery of her vehicle.

She was last seen at a food store in St Louis at 10.30am on Monday.

The autopsy will be completed later this week.

Raffaella Maria Stroik was born in Indiana and had performed with the St Louis Ballet since 2017 when she starred in 'Cinderella', followed by 'The Nutcracker' and 'La Vie'.

She also performed with the American Contemporary Ballet.

St Louis Ballet posted the following statement on their website:

"Saint Louis Ballet remembers dancer Raffaella Stroik. She was a wonderful dancer and a beautiful person. We extend our condolences to her family. We are so very sad over the loss of this talented and beautiful spirit and will miss her dearly."