A SUSPICIOUS death inquiry has been launched after a woman died at her Portland home.

Her fiancé who was arrested at the scene is being questioned about the death.

An ambulance was called to the home of Sally Tilley and Keith Farmer in Fortuneswell but paramedics found she was dead on arrival and called the police.

Officers arrived at Seagull Cottage in High Street early yesterday and arrested Mr Farmer straight away but no charges have yet been brought.

The police said they are investigating the death as suspicious and have spoken to the 55-year-old about events leading up to the tragedy.

Friends told of their shock as the couple were due to be married this year.

And neighbours in High Street said they were kept awake by the noise of police and scenes of crime officers all night before seeing Mrs Tilley’s body being taken away from the house at around 9.30am.

Sam Jeffery, 36, said: “I was up from 3am as they were making so much noise. But I made all the police and forensics team tea and coffee.

“I could see them bringing things out for forensic tests and then I saw them bring the body out.

“She was a tiny little lady.”

A South Western Ambulance spokesman confirmed they were the first emergency service called to the scene.

But as Mrs Tilley was found to be dead on arrival they called the police.

Detective Inspector Marcus Hester, from Weymouth CID, said: “We attended a property in High Street, Portland, at 12.50am yesterday morning. A lady in her 40s was deceased. We are treating the death as suspicious. Forensic officers attended the scene and inquiries were made door to door.

“A 55-year-old Portland man has been arrested and is helping police with their inquiries. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.”

He added: “The arrested man is believed to have been known to her. He was arrested straight away at the scene.”

A police spokesman later added: “The arrested man has been relased on police bail while further inquiries are made.”

A scenes of crime team remained at the cottage all morning and police officers stood guard at the front door all day yesterday.

The coroner has been informed and police are waiting for the post mortem to be carried out to find out the cause of death.

It is understood that Mrs Tilley’s son and daughter from a previous relationship live in the Bournemouth area and have been told of the tragedy.