PENSIONER Sheila Hannes James was discovered dead in her home at Lot 139 East Street, Georgetown by ranks from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) at about 16:00 hrs yesterday.

The woman, who lives alone, was not seen since yesterday morning, and persons from the area said they became worried after calling out to her and getting no response.

Roy Anderson, a neighbour, told the Guyana Chronicle that he has lived in the area all his life, and had never really witnessed any relative coming to visit the woman. Persons could not say if she had had any children.

Another person related that the woman would have a few guests now and again, and would usually have mail coming to her address.

Ms James was described as a very reserved individual who never really said much to persons.
This publication was told that after the woman had not been seen, persons called the police to investigate the matter, and the police, in turn, telephoned the Guyana Fire Service to assist in gaining entry to the home.

Fire fighters used a ladder to gain access to the upper flat of the building where the woman lived, and they opened a door below which leads to the upper flat, allowing police ranks to enter the building and conduct their investigations.

It was related that several persons would come and bring meals for the woman, who had not been physically able to move around a lot, since she had suffered a stroke several years ago and had been recovering from that illness.

One man said that when an individual showed up at the home yesterday morning to take meals to the woman, James had indicated that she was not feeling too well to come down the stairs, and had told the individual to tie the bag with the meal on the door.

Undertakers from the Lyken Funeral Parlour were summoned to the scene to remove the body after the police had concluded their investigation. Sources disclosed that there were no marks of violence on the pensioner, which suggested that she died of natural causes.