The riddle of the recluse suffering from ME found strangled to death in her bungalow

Sharon Birchwood, who suffered from ME and was registered disabled, had been dead more than 24 hours when her body was found by a relative on Friday.

A post-mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was asphyxiation, suggesting she was strangled or suffocated.

Police said there was no sign of a forced entry at the three-bedroom bungalow in Ashtead in Surrey, where the childless 52-year-old has lived alone since her divorce.

Her ex-husband, Graham Birchwood, said that he learned of her death yesterday when friends rang him to say they had heard about it on the TV news.

The 54-year-old, who remarried in 2000 and lives a few miles away in Epsom, said that he and his ex-wife had kept in contact after their divorce.

He said: "I cannot understand why anyone would want to hurt her. Sharon was very kind.

"She was the sort of person that would do anything for anybody although they she did have some funny ideas about religion."

His father Colin added: "I just cannot believe what happened.

"I don't know any of the details, but what I can tell you is that my son didn't do it. I know that much for sure.

"I considered myself a good friend of Sharon's. I am stunned that I had to find out about her death this way.

"She was a lovely person. I was shocked when my son announced they were getting a divorce. Despite that, I remained a good friend to her. This news is very hard to take.

"When my son rang me to say he was coming round, I could hear it in his voice. I knew something was wrong. I am sure we will get through this, but it will take a while.'

Fellow residents in the quiet commuter town described Mrs Birchwood as a recluse.

One said: "I think she lived there mostly alone, but there was a chap that used to visit her. She was not 100 per cent well."

Another neighbour added: "She moved into the lane quite a few years ago.

"In this road, most of us go up and down by car but she always walked with a walking aid.

"If I saw her as I drove by I always waved to her, but that was as much contact as I had with her."

Police officers cordoned off the road yesterday as forensic teams carried out a fingertip examination.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: "We are appealing to anyone who has seen Sharon Birchwood or had contact with her recently, and predominantly in the last week, to contact us."

They asked anyone who had seen suspicious activity in the road over the past week to report it.

Superintendent Sharon Bush added: "I would like to reassure the local community that this type of offence is extremely rare in Surrey.

"We have local patrols out in the area working alongside detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team, doing house-to-house enquiries.

"Mole Valley Safer Neighbourhood officers will be engaging with representatives of the community."