A MURDER investigation has been launched into a woman's death.

The woman, 44-year-old Julie Cook, had been found alive but with serious head injuries shortly after 8pm on Monday.

Police were called by staff at Poole Hospital at 12.53am on Tuesday morning.

This evening, Julie Cook died in hospital as a result of her injuries.

She was initially found at an address in Clarence Park Road in the Pokesdown area Poole before being taken to hospital.

Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team are treating the circumstances surrounding her death as suspicious and have launched an investigation.

She is thought to have travelled with a man on the London Waterloo to Weymouth train on the afternoon of Monday May 2.

At 3.37pm the pair were seen getting off the train at Pokesdown railway station.

Police believe they had an argument on the platform before walking towards Christchurch Road.

It is understood that the pair arrived at the address on Clarence Park Road sometime between 4pm and 4.30pm.

Detective Inspector Neil Phillips, of MCIT, said: “We have now launched a murder investigation following the death of Julie Cook.

“As part of my investigation, I am trying to establish her movements in the hours before she was found seriously injured.

“I have released these details in the hope that someone may have seen the victim and a man travelling on the train, getting off at Pokesdown station or walking toward Clarence Park Road.

"I am particularly keen to trace two young women who were seen at Pokesdown railway station at the same time that day. One was carrying a white shopping bag and the other carried a handbag over her shoulder.

“I believe these women may have seen the couple on the platform or witnessed the incident and I have released CCTV images of them in the hope that I can identify them. I would ask these women or anyone who knows them to please contact me."

A 36-year-old Bournemouth man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is assisting officers with their enquiries. 

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting Operation Oxbow. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.