The property at the centre of a police murder investigation in Ryde.Picture by Jamie White.
UPDATED 18:11*
POLICE have launched a murder investigation following a suspicious death.
A middle-aged woman died in the early hours of this morning (Friday) at an address in St John's Road, Ryde.
A police spokesman said: "Detectives are investigating the death of a woman in Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
"Police were called to an address in St. John’s Road shortly after 1.30am this morning (Friday) by a member of the public.
"A woman aged in her 50s from the Isle of Wight was found dead at the address.
"A 53-year-old man from the Isle of Wight was arrested at 1.50am at the address on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody for questioning.
"A post-mortem examination is due to take place this afternoon (Friday).
"Police have informed immediate next-of-kin, but won’t be in a position to confirm the victim's name until all formal identification procedures are completed.
"The address in St. John’s Road is sealed off while a forensic examination of the murder scene is continuing.
"Detectives from the Hampshire Major Investigation Team (HMIT) are pursuing several lines of enquiry to confirm the full circumstances surrounding this death.
"One main line of enquiry is to establish exactly how the victim was injured. There is no information at this time to suggest a wider risk to the community.
*Detectives from the Hampshire Major Investigation Team have more time to question the suspect.
He can now be questioned in police custody until tomorrow afternoon (Saturday) following an application by detectives to a police superintendent.
Hampshire Constabulary family liaison officers are keeping next-of-kin informed about the progress of the investigation.
A post-mortem examination is continuing this evening (Friday).
A spokesman said: "Detectives cannot speculate on the cause of death while a suspect is being interviewed. "However, there remains no information to suggest a wider risk to the community at this time."
The victim's identity has yet to be confirmed.
"Officers are not in a position to speculate on the cause of death, which has not been confirmed at this early stage of the investigation," the spokesman added.
Anyone with information can contact CID at Newport police station by phoning 101 and asking for the Operation Passfield team. Mini-com users can phone 01962 875000. Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.