NATCHEZ — Authorities are now considering the death of 71-year-old Elida P. Lopoo Rosenson found dead last week in her Linden Drive house a murder.

Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said Friday that the death was likely due to natural causes, but Adams County Coroner James Lee said Saturday an autopsy shows asphyxiation by strangulation.

Rosenson was found Friday, but Mayfield said she appeared to have been dead for approximately two days, and a dog was barking inside the house.

Deputies arrived at the house in response to a call from a concerned neighbor who had not seen her recently.

Mayfield said deputies discovered the her dead on her bed with no evidence of a struggle.

“But there were things just inconsistent with (death by) natural causes,” Mayfield said.

Deputies reported that the house’s back door was cracked suspiciously ajar and a windowpane was missing from a back window.

In addition, Mayfield said deputies noticed some items that appeared to be from the woman’s purse were scattered outside of the purse.

“We’re still investigating it,” Mayfield said. “We have some physical evidence we’re still going over, and evidence collected at the scene has been sent to the crime lab.”

Mayfield said investigators treated the case as homicide from the start, based on the assumption it could possibly be one, even though there were no obvious signs of foul play.

“So we took precaution and preserved evidence we did have,” Mayfield said.

“Investigators are back out there today talking to neighbors and getting statements.”

The sheriff said, so far, they have no witnesses, but they are investigating a possible suspect now.

“We do have a lead we’re following,” Mayfield said. “A person of interest.”