Post mortem on elderly woman 'inconclusive'

Police today appealed for anyone who has had recent dealings with an elderly Foxton woman found dead in suspicious circumstances in her home on Thursday to come forward.

Detective Dennis O'Rourke said that a post mortem carried out yesterday on 74-year-old Winsome Jimson-Newland had proved inconclusive as to the cause of death.

Further forensic tests were required, with the results not expected for several days.

Mrs Winsome-Newland's body was found in her Whittaker Street home by a neighbour and another local person who was delivering pamphlets.

Mr O'Rourke said that a scene examination of the house was expected to take the rest of the weekend.

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Sergeant Grayson Joines appealed to anyone who might have had dealings with Mrs Jimson-Newland over the past two weeks to contact police.

Neighbours have described the dead woman as a shy, private person who tended to keep to herself.

- NZPA