Otago woman's body undiscovered in home for fortnight after death

Police said neighbours had "kept an eye" on the reclusive Otago woman, but called police when they hadn't seen her in two weeks. Photo / File

A Mosgiel woman may have been dead inside her home for two weeks before her body was discovered.

The woman was discovered by police after they forced their way into her Gladstone Rd home for a welfare check last Thursday.

Fairfax has named her as Lesley Alcock, 63.

Sergeant Kevin Davidson told Fairfax that neighbours had "kept an eye" on the reclusive Otago woman, but called police when they hadn't seen her in two weeks.

Officers had visited her previously, but she had told them "very firmly" to go away.

Her death has been referred to the Coroner.

In March last year an elderly man was discovered in a central Wellington apartment, with police believing the man had lain there for two months before being discovered.

His body at the St Paul's apartment complex near Parliament was only discovered after another resident complained about a bad smell.

In November of last year, the body of James Loo, 49, was found trapped under a bookcase.

He was discovered 10 days after the 7.8 earthquake.

A Coroner ruled that Loo died between November 12 and November 17 from atherosclerotic disease, and that the bookcase fell on him when he collapsed.