Detectives are treating the death of a mother-of-four in Co Down as suspicious.

Joanne Thompson, 33, was found by a relative at her home in Newtownards on Wednesday morning.

Police are examining a potential link to an altercation at a loyalist bonfire in the town’s West Winds estate on Monday night.

They have also appealed to anyone who noticed anything suspicious around Ms Thompson’s home at Old Mill Court on Tuesday evening through to Wednesday morning.

PSNI Detective Inspector Chris Wilson said: “We are making inquiries into events leading up to Joanne being found and are making two specific appeals for help from the local community.

“The first is to people who attended a bonfire in the West Winds estate at Dakota Avenue on the Eleventh Night. We want to hear from anyone who witnessed any disturbance or altercation at the bonfire.

“The second appeal is to anyone who noticed any activity around Joanne’s home at Old Mill Court between 9pm on Tuesday July 12 and 11am on Wednesday July 13.

“We are making a number of inquiries and studying the findings of a post-mortem examination.

“I would ask anyone with information about Joanne to contact the incident room at Newtownards police station on the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, people can use the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if they want to provide information anonymously.”