POLICE investigating the death of a woman in Somerford on Monday evening are understood to be looking at the possibility she could have taken her own life.

The woman, named locally as Elizabeth Perkins, was in her 60s, and was pronounced dead at her home in Scotts Green at 7.40pm.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said Chief Inspector John Crossland, who is leading the investigation, commented that they are “keeping an open mind and pursuing all possibilities and lines of inquiry.”

A 53-year-old Christchurch man arrested at the scene in connection with her death, has been released on bail.

Police were still at the house on Wednesday and a forensics tent remained in the front garden with a number of officers also still at the scene.

One bunch of flowers had been placed on the wall outside the building, where the victim lived in the upstairs flat.

It is understood she was in a relationship with the man who lived downstairs.

A post-mortem took place on Tuesday afternoon but coroner’s officer Alan Young said they were still awaiting test results yesterday afternoon.

Shocked neighbours paid tribute to the victim, who is believed to have a daughter, describing her as a “lovely” woman.