Kochi | A 63-year-old woman was found burnt dead in the compound of her house in Perumbavoor near here on Monday, police said.

The deceased was identified as Nirmala Bhai of Poppani Road, Perumbavoor, police said.

According to police, Nirmala was last seen by her family when she went to sleep on Sunday night.

When she was found missing from her bedroom on Monday morning, family members searched for her and found her burnt body in the compound of the house, police said.

A bottle containing fuel was also recovered near the body, officials said.

Perumbavoor police have registered a case of unnatural death and launched an investigation.

Police said further investigation was required to ascertain whether the woman died by suicide, in an accident or was killed.

Preliminary investigation did not indicate any trespassing into the house, police said.

The body will be handed over to the relatives after postmortem, police added.