A POLICE investigation was launched after the sudden death of a 37-year-old Christchurch woman.

Officers were called to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital just after 2.30pm on Sunday. 

Staff had reported the sudden death of a woman who had been brought in by ambulance.

Enquiries were under way to ascertain the cause of her death, including forensic examination at an address in Portfield Road in Christchurch.

A spokesman for Dorset Police initially said the death was being treated as unexplained and had been referred to the Dorset coroner. The woman’s next of kin are yet to be informed of her death.

A 32-year-old Christchurch man was arrested on suspicion of assault. But police said later this afternoon that the death was not being treated as suspicious and that the arrested man had been released under police investigation.

Officers were seen by residents on Sunday and a police presence remained in the road throughout the evening.

A police car could still be seen outside parked outside an address this afternoon. 

Residents said they did not hear or see anything on Sunday afternoon and were shocked on discovering the news that a neighbour had passed away.

Cllr Tavis Fox, who lives on Portfield Road, said: “It’s a great loss for her family. We do not know what has occurred. It is a tragic loss.”