PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A partially clothed woman was found dead on the back patio of a house in South Philadelphia, leaving police with more questions than answers.
A man was taking out the trash when he told police he found an unconscious woman face-down on his back patio. Police responded to the scene, near 22nd and Moore streets, around 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Investigators said there were no signs of trauma or drug paraphernalia found on the woman, and it did not appear that she tried to break into the house. Officials have not yet been able to identify her, but they believe she was in her 40s.
“It appears based on preliminary observations that she’s been deceased possibly for about 24 hours or so,” said Inspector D.F. Pace, adding that detectives believe she died at that location.
Investigators believe the woman lived on that block, but no one in the area has been reported missing.
“At this time, we are trying to figure out the connection between where she lives and where she was found, and we’re trying to identify why she was found where she was,” Pace said.
“She was partially clothed, so that adds to the unanswered questions,” he added. “At this time, it is being ruled a suspicious death.”