Gardai are now probing the theory that the mother of two whose body was found in her own home died a violent death, it has emerged.
The Mirror has established that the post mortem on Angela Canavan was inconclusive - which means the experts cannot be definite as to the cause of her death being from an accident or from a violent assault.
But sources have told us investigators probing her death in Sligo Town on Monday evening now suspect she died from foul play.
READ MORE: Garda investigation launched after 'unexplained' death of woman in Sligo
“The post mortem was inconclusive, but there is something not quite right about this case,” one source said.
“The main theory now being examined is that she suffered a violent death and her passing was not accidental.”
Officers had initially suspected that Ms Canavan, a native of Crossmolina in Mayo but a resident of Sligo town for several years, may have died as a result of a fall at her rented home in the city centre.
Sources say officers are now moving away from the theory and are treating her death as suspicious.
Ms Canavan was found at her home in St John’s Terrace – where she had been renting a property by herself for more than five years – late on Monday evening.
She was believed to be in her late fifties and was well-known in the area, with locals saying she was regularly seen out walking her little Jack Russell dog called Millie.
Her body was discovered at her home shortly after 8.30pm Monday evening and the emergency services were called to the scene. It's understood she had sustained injuries to her head.
Ms Canavan’s remains were removed from the scene at midday on Tuesday for a post-mortem examination to be carried out by the State Pathologist at Sligo University Hospital a short distance away.
Sources say that PM has failed to establish if her death was accidental – or was more sinister. The Garda Technical Bureau have also carried out a technical examination at the scene.
Neighbours have expressed their shock at her sudden death. “She was a very quiet lady,” said next-door neighbour Ann Byrne.
“She was always walking her dog. I saw her yesterday morning. We heard nothing last evening until we saw the ambulance and the Garda cars.
“You’d never hear a sound from her, she used to give us sweets and we’d throw logs in over the wall to her. She was a perfect neighbour,” she said.
“She was a lovely person. She loved doing the garden,” said another elderly neighbour who did not wish to be named. “I saw her on St Patrick’s Day with her daughter-in-law and two granddaughters. I seen her yesterday after 2pm with her dog,” she added.
A Garda spokeswoman said: "Gardaí continue to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body of a woman in Sligo on Monday 1st May 2023.
"The woman (50s) was discovered at a residence in Sligo town shortly after 8:30pm on 1st of May, 2023. Investigations are ongoing."
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