DETECTIVES investigating the death of a woman found in a Hampshire park have not ruled out foul play.

A cordon remained in place yesterday after the remains of 41-year-old Isobel Munro were found in a park in the New Forest.

Officers were called to Long Meadow in Barton-on-Sea after a member of the public raised the alarm on Tuesday.

Yesterday, around nine forensic officers wearing dark clothing and thick gloves used metal detectors to sweep the grass for evidence.

Police also conducted a fingertip search of the park on their hands and knees and used saws and shears to cut away tree branches in dense undergrowth close to Grove Road.

A cordon has been in place at the park for four days in a row. At least six police cars and a forensics van remained at the site yesterday.

Ms Munro was last seen in April this year.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police told the Daily Echo that he was unable to confirm whether officers are ruling out the possibility of foul play.

“We are looking for anything that may help us to explain what happened to Isobel leading to her death,” he said.

“We will be sweeping the area forensically. It is just standard practice to use the metal detectors while the death is being treated as unexplained.”

A forensic post-mortem examination to determine the manner of Ms Munro’s death has begun, although a date for the opening of an inquest has not yet been set.

It is expected that a coroner will set the date for the hearing early next week.

Ms Munro, who had learning difficulties and was profoundly deaf, was last seen in April when she left the Highcliffe home she shared with her mum.

Police say that she got into a taxi and was dropped off at the car park next the Globe pub on Lymington Road, which is located next to a parade of shops.

However, Ms Munro never returned home.

Joan Rymell, who is 92 years old, lives nearby and said: “There were eight cars and their support vehicle, which is providing hot drinks and facilities for the police along Grove Road.

“They were sawing down some of the trees and clearing the bushes.

“The woods are full of weeds and nettles so it is not very easy for them to walk on. They have now opened up a bit more of Long Meadow for people to walk on, as they are focusing on the woods. However, they haven’t opened up the footpath next to the woods.”