30 November 2012 Last updated at 07:37 ET

Hove woman Mary Saunders's death 'may be mercy killing'

The body of 71-year-old Mary Saunders was found in the bedroom of her flat in Hove

The death of a 71-year-old woman whose body was found in the bedroom of her home in Hove may have been a "mercy killing", according to Sussex Police.

The woman, who has not been formally identified but who police believe to be Mary Saunders, was found at a flat in Court Farm Road on Thursday morning.

Her 85-year-old husband was treated for minor injuries and later arrested on suspicion of her murder, police said.

They said it was a sensitive case and a mercy killing was one line of inquiry.

Police said the man, whose full name has not been released, was still in custody on Friday.

They said Mrs Saunders had no apparent external injuries and the cause of death had not yet been established.

A post-mortem examination is expected to take place later.