A woman in her 80s not seen for a number of days has been found dead in suspicious circumstances.
An investigation was launched after police found the pensioner during a search of her house in Hall Green, south-east Birmingham yesterday.
The force said her death is being treated as "suspicious".
Teams of officers immediately cordoned off the property last night and conducted an investigation today.
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: “Police are investigating after the body of a woman was found at an address in the Hall Green area of Birmingham last night.
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“Officers were called to Rydal Way at around 8.30pm, where the body of a woman in her 80s was found.
“The death is currently being treated as suspicious and an investigation is underway.”
It is believed the woman, who was known locally, had not been seen in recent days.
Residents said that officers had been carrying out house-to-house enquiries today.
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There were also reports of a blue tent in the back garden of the house and several police cars parked along the road.
Catherine Williams, who lives nearby, said: “I saw police tape condoning off the front and back of the house by the garages and two police cars parked up.
"I only use the road as my route to work early morning but seems like a quiet respectable area.”
Another resident said: “Police knocked on my parents door at midnight. They asked if they knew how the back window had been smashed.
“The lady lived alone.”
Enquiries continue and anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting log number 2413 of May.
