Kochi | A retired teacher was found dead in a pool of blood at her residence in Ponnekara here, police said on Saturday.

The deceased has been identified as Vanaja C R (70).

According to police, Vanaja lived with her sister's son, who found her lying in a pool of blood inside the house around 9 pm on Friday.

Police reached the spot soon after and found multiple injuries on the body, an officer said.

A knife was also found near the body.

Preliminary examination showed that a vein on her wrist had been slit, and it is yet to be ascertained whether the death was a case of suicide or homicide, police said.

Police also noted that Vanaja had a pet dog that usually stayed inside the house, but it was found roaming on the streets on Friday.

CCTV footage from neighbouring houses is being examined, and fingerprint and forensic experts have inspected the house, police said.

The exact cause of death will be determined after the postmortem examination scheduled for Saturday.

Elamakkara police have registered a case of unnatural death, and further investigation is underway.