An investigation is underway after a woman "covered in blood" was found dead inside of a West Philadelphia home with several dogs present on Monday, Philadelphia police said.
Family members of the victim told NBC10 the woman had company over on Sunday, Nov. 24. When they called her and she didn't answer, one of the woman's five children visited her home along the 4100 block of Parrish Street the next day for a wellness check. When he arrived, he found her mother unresponsive inside the house. She was later pronounced dead.
Police -- who arrived at the home around 12 p.m. on Monday -- told NBC10 the incident is a “death investigation." While the woman's family believes she was murdered, police have not yet revealed a cause or manner of death. They also have not yet revealed the victim’s identity.
"The 51-year-old female victim was found on the 3rd floor, covered in blood, with multiple cuts or bite marks on her body," police said Tuesday.
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"There were several dogs present at the scene," police added. "While the dogs may have bitten her, it remains unclear whether this occurred before or after her death. According to family members, the dogs, which belong to the son, were described as friendly and familiar with the victim."
Family members said the woman lived with the dogs. A spokesperson said ACCT Philly was initially called to the woman's home after her body was discovered because the responding police officers needed the dogs off the property. A family member of the woman later took the animals in, according to the spokesperson.
On Tuesday, police said "at this time the cause of death has not yet been determined, and the investigation remains active under the Southwest Detective Division. Updates will be provided as they become available."
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