No suspicious circumstances in woman's death

File photo / NZ Herald

Foul play has been ruled out in the death of a 70-year-old Featherston woman, which police had thought to be suspicious.

The woman was found in her Harrison St home by friend Shirley Hunter last Wednesday after she failed to show up to the Empire Hotel as expected.

A post-mortem was carried out yesterday and Wairarapa Police were satisfied there were "no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death".

Family members have been advised and the matter will be referred to the coroner.

John McGrath, of the Empire Hotel, said his partner Shirley had found the woman in her home.

She had been a regular at the Thursday night Handle Club for sometime.

They believed she was away but she when she didn't turn up for the club night, Mrs Hunter decided to investigate further.

She found the woman in her home and called police.

The couple had known the woman since they had taken over the hotel about 13 years ago.

"She was a really, really lovely little lady," he said.

"She would do anything for anybody."

Mr McGrath said she had no children, but he understood she had family in Wairarapa.