The discovery yesterday of an elderly woman's body in a Featherston house prompted a full-scale police investigation.
But police later confirmed they were not treating the incident as a homicide "at the moment".
Wairarapa area commander Brent Register said although the 70-year-old's death was not being treated as a homicide, initial inquiries had revealed circumstances which were "of concern to police".
He said the case was being treated "cautiously" as a sudden death.
The dead woman was found yesterday morning by a man friend who visited her home after not being able to contact her for several days.
Mr Register said the last time the woman was seen was by a neighbour last Thursday.
A neighbour told the Times-Age the woman lived alone and had been in the Harrison St home for at least eight years.
She was a "nice lady who always waves out".
Police secured the woman's property and began a detailed examination but have not named her.
A post-mortem examination was due to begin this morning.
- Wairarapa Times-Age
