A 52-year-old woman has been found dead under mysterious circumstances at Salle of Musikot Municipality in West Rukum.

According to District Police Head Police Inspector Bishnu Prasad Shrestha, the body of Hastakali Budhathoki was found in her house with head injuries at around 10pm on Friday.

Police suspect foul play as the house was locked from the outside and the victim’s jewellery was missing.

“Since the door was found to be locked from the outside, this could be a murder case,” Shrestha said. “Further investigation is underway.”

The victim was a widow and had been living alone at the residence. She is survived by her two sons—one of whom is in Japan while the other lives in Nepalgunj.