The PSNI is investigating the death of an elderly woman in Newry, Co Down.
The body of the 81-year-old woman was found by relatives at her home shortly after 10am yesterday morning.
She has been named locally as Maire Rankin.
Ms Rankin was last seen on Christmas Eve and family members became concerned when she failed to answer telephone calls yesterday morning.
It is believed that she died some time on Christmas Eve or early Christmas Day.
It is not yet clear how she died, but the PSNI says it is treating her death as suspicious.
Police have been carrying out a forensic examination around the scene. They are paying particular attention to an area at the back of the row of houses.
The police investigation is at an early stage but one possible line of inquiry is that an attempted robbery may have taken place.
A week ago the home of another elderly woman in the city was broken into and she was confronted by three men, one of whom had a knife.
However, it is not yet clear if the two incidents are linked.
A post mortem examination of the body will take place later today.
