A woman believed to have been murdered at a flat in west Belfast may have been dead for more than two years before being found.
The body of 68-year-old Marie Conlon was discovered on Friday by PSNI officers after concerns were raised about her welfare.
Detectives say attending officers found her dead in her bed.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
In a statement this evening, the Conlon family said they were 'shocked and heartbroken' to learn of Marie's death.
They said: "Marie was very much loved by her family and will be mourned greatly. She was a very independent person.
"Numerous attempts had been made to contact her in person, and by other means, over the course of the past two years but at no point were suspicions raised that she had been deceased.
"It is only with hindsight that the unimaginable now seems possible."
They add they have been working closely with the PSNI, noting that they 'hope and pray' that justice will be done.
Local councillor Brian Heading says it's a very sad situation:
