Pensioner suffered violent death

The pensioner's body was found at her house

A pensioner found dead at her home in Donaghadee, County Down, suffered a violent death, police have said.

Tilly Campbell, 77, was found at her home in Barnagh Park at about 0600 BST on Monday by firefighters called to the scene following reports of a fire.

A 36-year-old man is being questioned by police, and detectives say they are following a definite line of inquiry.

DCI Sean Wright, who is leading the investigation, said it was an "absolutely horrendous murder".

Appeal

He appealed for anyone who was in the Cannyreagh Road and Barnagh Park area between 0200 BST and 0600 BST on Monday to contact police.

"I would appeal to those people, whether you think you know anything, or saw or heard anything or not, to come forward and speak to us if you were in that area at that time, let us make the decision on the information that you give us.

"We are following a definite line of inquiry, and we have a number of other lines of inquiry that we are pursuing - we are keeping an open mind as to a motive."

DCI Wright said they wanted to trace Tilly's last movements.

"Tilly died a violent death, and I would appeal to anyone out there, anyone with a conscience, to come forward and tell us what you know," he said.