THE body of a woman discovered by police in a Southport house was hidden in a freezer.

Police were called to an address in Southport on Monday where they found Gavin Tomlinson, 45, dead.

On Friday detectives searching the property in Norwood Crescent discovered a body of a woman in her 60s, which it is understood was hidden in a freezer.

The woman had suffered extensive injuries, and detectives think she could have been murdered weeks ago.

They are trying to find out whether she was Mr Tomlinson’s most recent ex-partner.

The freezer was loaded onto a police vehicle on Friday afternoon and taken away for forensic examination.

Merseyside police launched a formal murder investigation, but are not looking for anyone in connection with the woman’s death. Her identity is yet to be officially confirmed and a post mortem examination is being carried out to establish how she died.

It is understood police were called on Monday by Mr Tomlinson’s work colleagues after he had not turned up for his office job.

His body was discovered in one of the rooms of the house, but how he killed himself is still unclear.

Detective Chief Inspector Nikki Holland, of Merseyside police, said: “We believe the remains may belong to someone Mr Tomlinson knew, and I am keen to speak to his family and friends.

“We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the murder at the moment.”

Anyone who may have seen Mr Tomlinson in the days leading up to his death should call police on 0151-777 3165.