Police launched a probe at the weekend after a woman’s body was found at a house in Moray.
Officers are treating her death as unexplained and were trying to trace her next of kin last night.
The 43-year-old, named locally as Lindsey Richards, was found at a property in Fulmar Road in the Bishopmill area of Elgin. It is understood the grim discovery was made by a family member and police and an ambulance were called.
One neighbour said he saw a man led away from the house in handcuffs.
Police declined to comment on whether anyone had been arrested in connection with the death.
The house at 6 Fulmar Road was sealed off by police tape and guarded by officers throughout the weekend. They carried out door-to-door inquiries and an incident van remained outside the address last night.
A single bouquet – addressed to the “Richards family” from “granny” – was placed in the front garden beside the doorstep.
Neighbours said Ms Richards was a friendly but private woman who “kept herself to herself” and had lived with her partner – named locally as Ronnie Campbell – in Fulmar Road for about three years.
She is understood to have a 21-year-old son.
Elgin councillor Patsy Gowans, who had been at SNP conference in Perth, was shocked to hear about the incident when she returned to Elgin.
Fellow Elgin North councillor Barry Jarvis said: “It is obviously a very distressing situation for the families of all involved and at this point in time it may be prudent for people to avoid speculating too much via social media until the full facts of the matter are investigated.
“No doubt there will be members of the family who will see these discussions and the only outcome will be further distress and pain to them.”
A police spokeswoman said last night: “Inquiries are at an early stage and the death is being treated as unexplained at the moment.
“We are still trying to track down some next of kin.
“The full circumstances are still being established.”
Ms Richards’s body was found on Friday evening.