Solothurn cantonal police are continuing to investigate the mysterious death of an 83-year-old woman reportedly strangled in her home with a piece of string.

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The woman’s lifeless body was found in her second-floor apartment in Olten last Thursday but investigators believe the woman had been dead for at least five weeks, according to a report from Blick.

Police are officially not saying much on the record.

“The circumstances that led to the death are still unclear and will be investigated,” cantonal police said in a brief statement on Wednesday.

Police have contacted the local institute for forensic medicine for help and have also issued an appeal to the public for anyone with information that may help solve the case.   

Blick said, according to its information, the woman, identified as Stefanie Maritz, was strangled on the bedroom floor, with a string tied around her neck.

The pensioner’s apartment was ransacked in what looks like a case of murder, the newspaper reported.

“I find it sad that no one missed for so long,” 84-year-old neighbour Doris Hofer told Blick.

“Especially at this age you should have someone who looks in on you,” said Hofer, who now lives in fear of intruders.

Blick quoted another neighbour who believed that the victim, a former UBS employee, was wealthy and that she was a robbery victim.

Hofer said she plans to get advice on “how to conduct myself at home” from police.

“Hopefully they will catch the killer soon, so we need not worry any more.”