Corpse found in ‘mummified’ state three months after death

The body of a woman, 64 from Birzebbugia, has been found in a reportedly ‘mummified’ state in the house where she lived on her own.

Forensic experts believe the woman died of natural causes but forensic tests are underway. The woman has been identified as Mary Catherine Dalli.

But the woman had been dead for three months, but neighbours were under the impression that she had been admitted to a home for the elderly. The last time they saw her was in August.

The body had not decomposed despite being in a room with an open window.

She was discovered at around 11:30am on Tuesday after passers-by reported strong odours emanating from her residence on Triq Dar ta’ Pultu.

District police officers led by superintendent Sandro Gatt and inspector Melvyn Camilleri entered the small, three-roomed house to find the body of the woman on the floor, facing upwards.

Duty Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras ordered an inquiry. Police are ruling out foul play.