Murder inquiry into woman's death

Police investigating the discovery of an elderly woman's body in Dorset have confirmed they are treating it as a murder inquiry.

The body of Irene Hawkes of Wakely Road, Bournemouth, was found by police at her home on 6 May after a call from a concerned relative.

A post-mortem examination showed the 82-year-old died from head and chest injuries.

A 49-year-old Bournemouth man arrested on Friday has been released on bail.

Det Ch Insp Neil Redstone, head of Dorset police's major crime team, said: "The circumstances surrounding her death are extremely suspicious.

"Therefore, while we are keeping an open mind as to how the injuries were caused we are investigating the death as we would investigate a murder.

"There was no sign of a burglary at the address and our inquiries are continuing into how she came to receive these injuries."

The last confirmed sighting of Mrs Hawkes was on Monday, 28 April.