Hartley Road: Police 'conclude' murder investigation into death of woman following 'thorough testing' and enquiries

An investigation into the sudden death of woman, which prompted an arrest, has been closed with no further action, police confirm.

On Monday, May 25, police attended an address in Hartley Road, North End, at 7.40pm after being called by the ambulance service following the discovery of a woman’s body.

Officers cordoned off the property and launched an investigation into the 55-year-old’s death, which was initially treated as suspicious, and a 60-year-old man from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was previously bailed pending enquiries.

A spokesperson for the police has confirmed “they have concluded an investigation that was launched following the death” following detailed enquiries which have “now shown no third-party involvement based on thorough testing at the scene.”

The man, who was previously arrested, has been released from bail with no further action, and the death is now being treated as unexplained.

A file is being prepared for the coroner and the woman’s family has been updated.

At the time of the incident, neighbours expressed their “shock”, with Robert Cunningham saying: “I have lived in Hartley Road for 28 years now and it is the first time ever that we have had an issue of any sort really. This is a quiet little residential street.”