Model Katoucha Niane poses during the presentation of the 1997-98 fall-winter collection by French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent in Paris (file photo)

French police say a former top model whose body was found in Paris's Seine river this week was not the victim of foul play.

Authorities say Katoucha Niane, 47, most likely fell into the river accidentally.

The Guinean-born Katoucha, who went by her first name professionally, was one of the first African-born women to achieve success as a model in Europe, working for designers like Christian Lacroix and Yves Saint Laurent.

She was also known for speaking out against female genital mutilation, a procedure she underwent herself as a child.

She had been missing since last month.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.