The unexplained death of a woman in Worcester is now being treated as murder, police have said.
Emergency services were called to an address on Carnforth Drive shortly before 6.50pm on Wednesday.
The woman, named locally as Julie Fox, 51, was found dead in her £215,000 bungalow.
Residents said Ms Fox lived alone, was disabled and used a mobility scooter.
Police officers are still on the scene in Worcester after a woman was found dead inside a home
Police forensic teams scoured the scene for evidence earlier today as a murder investigation was launched by detectives
Police officers were seen checking nearby bushes as detectives begin their investigation into how the woman died
Speaking this afternoon, Chief Superintendent Mark Travis said: ‘We are working to establish the circumstances of this death, which is currently being investigated as a murder.
‘Police remain at the scene and there will be increased patrols in the area whilst investigations continue.
‘We are appealing to anyone in the community who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area between 22 December and 27 December to please come forward or speak with a local officer.
‘Anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, may help with the investigation.
‘Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and friends and those members of the local community, at this difficult time.’
A post-mortem will take place in due course.
A woman, in her 50s, was found dead inside a property on Carnforth Drive (pictured) last night
The unexplained death of a woman in Worcester is being treated as suspicious by police
A scene watch and a cordon were in place at the property last night, with the road partially closed.
One local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘Her name was Julie. I didn’t know her too well, but if she walked down the street then I would recognise her.
‘As far as I know she was disabled, I think she would often use a mobility scooter. I saw her from time to time sat on it. I don’t know of anyone else living there…I’ve never seen anyone else coming out of that house before.’
Another resident described Ms Fox as a ‘lovely woman.’
She said: ‘It’s incredibly shocking, especially as I knew her a bit. I’d see her every now and then walking her dog and make small talk with her…mostly about the weather and little things.
‘She was quite severely disabled, she’d often be in her electric wheelchair and needed to use that to get onto the bus.
‘I never saw anyone else come out of that house, and whenever I saw her she was by herself. She was a lovely lady, very friendly and easy to chat to.’
Another mother-of-one added: ‘I’ve heard it might have been a break-in gone wrong but you just don’t know.
‘I don’t think she had any enemies, who on earth would target a disabled woman anyway. Its absolutely tragic.’
A scene watch and a cordon remains in place on Carnforth Drive, which is partially closed
A 42-year-old woman, who has lived on the street for seven years, added: ‘It’s all a bit unexplained, nobody knows what is going on.
‘There have been police here all day, and people were going door-to-door this morning asking us about it.
‘They asked us whether we’d heard anything suspicious from Christmas Eve, so they are being very thorough.
‘The woman is called Julie, I’d see her walking up and down the street sometimes. She tended to be out by herself. I heard that she was disabled.’
One neighbour, who has lived on the street for 15 years, said: ‘Julie moved here 14 years ago, shortly after the homes had been built.
‘She always used that electric wheelchair, she was disabled.
‘The only person who would ever come to see her was her mother.’
Anyone with information is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 quoting incident number 597s of 27 December 2017 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.