Woman's body found near shipyard

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - A 64-year-old woman's body was found at an apartment complex near the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth Friday afternoon.

The discovery was called in at around 12:45 p.m., Detective Jan Westerbeck said. The woman's body was found in the 800 block of Madison Avenue at the Effingham Plaza Apartments. Police say a neighbor went to check on the woman Friday morning and found her not breathing.

Police are investigating this case as a homicide. Westerbeck said there was apparent trauma to the body.

"She was a nice person. I can't imagine what happened," said Donald Carver who also lives at the apartment complex. The woman's family gathered in front of the apartment Friday afternoon and prayed.

Westerbeck said, "She was inside her apartment in a rear bedroom. I don't want to go into details on the trauma to her body yet until the medical examiner takes a look."

Police have not yet released the woman's identity.