Police Investigate Suspicious Death of Woman Found in New Town Home

Tasmania Police are investigating the suspicious death of a woman whose body was discovered in a residence in the Hobart suburb of New Town. Authorities believe the woman had been deceased inside the home for several weeks before being found.

Discovery of the Deceased

The body was discovered on a Saturday afternoon at a property on Lissadell Court in New Town. According to Tasmania Police, the woman was found lying on the floor in a corridor of the house. While the woman has not been formally identified, investigators believe she was in her 60s and lived at the address.

Mental Health Concerns and Police Intervention

The discovery follows recent concerns raised by family members regarding the mental health of a man in his 50s who resided at the house. On Saturday morning, police and staff from a mental health acute care team visited the Lissadell Court address.

Detective Inspector David Gill stated that police spoke with the man at the doorway of the home before detaining him. He was subsequently taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital to receive mental health treatment. Emergency services remained at the scene throughout the day, returning to the property at approximately 4:00 p.m. When another individual arrived at the address and found the deceased woman.

Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps

Police are currently treating the death as suspicious. Although investigators are maintaining an open mind regarding the possibility that the death resulted from natural causes, the duration of time the body remained in the house has prompted a formal investigation. Detective Inspector Gill noted that the length of time the woman had been deceased is sufficient to classify the case as a suspicious death requiring further inquiry.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death and to establish whether the death was due to natural causes or other factors. The crime scene is expected to remain in place as investigations continue.

Key Takeaways

• Location: Lissadell Court, New Town, Hobart.
• Victim: An unidentified woman believed to be in her 60s.
• Discovery: The body was found in a corridor and is believed to have been there for several weeks.
• Police Action: A man in his 50s was detained and taken to Royal Hobart Hospital for mental health treatment following family concerns.
• Current Status: The death is being treated as suspicious pending an autopsy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the death being treated as suspicious?

Tasmania Police are treating the death as suspicious because the woman had been deceased inside the home for several weeks before her body was discovered.

Has a cause of death been determined?

No. An autopsy is required to determine whether the death was caused by natural processes or other circumstances.