Murder investigation after woman's body found

Image source, Northumbria Police

Image caption, Northumbria Police discovered the body at an address in Gateshead

A murder investigation is under way after a woman's body was found in a house.

Northumbria Police discovered the body of a woman in her 50s, inside an address on Sunderland Road, Gateshead, in the early hours.

A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder, after he was initially detained for acting suspiciously in the area late on Wednesday night.

Officers added, at this early stage, they believed "all parties to be known to each other and there is no wider threat to the public".

Det Ch Insp Matt Steel, from Northumbria Police鈥檚 Major Investigation Team, said: "I am today appealing for anybody who witnessed a man acting suspiciously in the areas of Sunderland Road and Durham Road, including the junction with the A167, between 22:30 BST yesterday and 00:30 BST, to get in touch."

The woman's family have been informed and are being supported by police.

The man remains in custody.

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