Police probe after body found in flat (From Gazette & Herald)

Police probe after body found in flat

A RYEDALE family is stricken with grief as police officers try to unravel the mystery of their loved one's death.

Paramedics were called to the home of Colleen Gee, 46, at The Maltings, Castlegate, Malton, at 6.45pm on Sunday where she was pronounced dead.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said Michael Oakley, the North Yorkshire east coroner, had been informed and a Home Office pathologist carried out a post-mortem examination.

It revealed that the mother-of-three did not die from natural causes. Further forensic tests have been carried out.

Mrs Gee had lived in Malton for 15 years and was originally from Sydney, Australia.

Her brother, Martin Walsh, who works for the City of York Council, said: "Colleen was a wonderful person who was very much loved by the whole of her family.

''Her sudden death has come as a great shock to all."

He said the family were deeply distressed and asked for people to respect their grief.

North Yorkshire Police have launched an investigation into the death. The officer leading the inquiry, Det Supt Barry Honeysett, said: "I still have an open mind into the exact nature of the death. House-to-house inquiries are ongoing.

'' I would appeal for witnesses who saw Mrs Gee between 10am on Saturday, January 15 and 5.45pm on Sunday, January 16 to call (01723) 509352."

Mike Williams, who runs Castle News in Castlegate, said that there was a lot of police activity around The Maltings at 3.15pm on Monday and that he had heard a woman had died. He said he knew the woman, who had an Australian accent. A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's very sad. I used to see her to say hello, but I didn't really know her.'

Updated: 14:14 Wednesday, January 19, 2005