A 68-YEAR-OLD woman was found strangled to death in her house – which had been set on fire.

Police launched a murder investigation after firefighters tackling the blaze discovered widow Linda Hood's body on Friday morning.

A post mortem by a Home Office pathologist on Saturday concluded the pensioner – who was nicknamed Little Linda by neighbours as she was just 4ft 10in tall – died from compression to her neck.

Neighbours raised the alarm just after 9am after opening her front door and realising her home was full of smoke.

One said: “Her next door neighbour’s daughter came round to visit her mum and heard the sound of Linda’s smoke alarm going off.

“She ended up knocking on my door because I have her spare key due to her having locked herself out in the past.

“I opened the door and there was a lot of smoke. I don’t know how long the fire had been going for.

“We called the fire brigade and they told us not to go inside.

“The firefighters were here in a few minutes and sadly she was dead.”

Another neighbour, in an adjoining house, said she saw “a mist” and smelled burning in her bedroom when she woke up on Friday morning, suggesting the fire was already alight.

And one resident said: “The lady had no idea where the smell was coming from and went to check all her electrical sockets in case the burning smell was coming from one of them.”

Others paid tribute to "lovely" Linda, who "would always say hello to everyone".

“She used to have a job delivering free newspapers all over the town and carried on doing that until a couple of years ago when she had to give up because she had problems with her legs,” one local said.

“We used to see her pulling round her little shopping trolley stuffed with papers.

“Even when she had mobility problems, she would be limping along. She was such a hard worker.

“She had lived in her house for around 40 years and everyone around here knew her.

“I can’t imagine what has happened and why anyone would want to harm her. It is just awful.

“Her husband Alan died around five years and they did not have any children.”

'MISSING A LOVELY NEIGHBOUR'

Norfolk Police said Linda's next of kin had been informed of her death.

Flowers left in tribute to her at the scene included one saying: “To Little Linda, We hope you are at peace with the Angels, God Bless You.”

Another read: “So sad to lose you Linda”, while a third added: “Missing a lovely neighbour.”

Forensic officers were today seen searching for clues at her two-bedroom terraced home in Cherwell Way, Gorleston-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

A police spokesperson said: “Enquiries undertaken to establish the exact circumstances leading up to her death have been ongoing and have led detectives in the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team to treat her death as murder.”

I can’t imagine what has happened and why anyone would want to harm her. It is just awful.

Detective Inspector Lewis Craske of Norfolk Police said: "This is a tragic incident and my thoughts remain with her friends and family at this awful time.

"We continue to work alongside specialist investigators to establish the exact circumstances leading up to the fire and we are keen to speak with anyone who may be able to assist us with our enquiries.

"We would like to speak with anyone who was in the vicinity of Cherwell Way on Thursday June 10 and Friday June 11 prior to the fire, or who may know something that could help our investigation.

"We want to understand who Linda was and would like to hear from all those who knew her.

"We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have either dashcam or CCTV footage of the surrounding area.

"We know this will cause concern among local residents, however please be reassured that the local community will see an increased police presence in the area over the following days."

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Norfolk Police on 101 quoting incident number 100 of 11 June 2021 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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