An 83-year-old woman found dead in her bedroom with her legs bound by duct tape had told a neighbour recently that someone was trying to take her money.

Police discovered Eveline Kelmenson on Thursday after her niece became concerned when she was unable to contact her for several days over the Christmas period.

Accompanied by paramedics, officers had to force their way into the three-bedroom terrace house in Stamford Hill, North London.

They were searching yesterday for evidence of a break-in and said that there were no obvious injuries to Ms Kelmenson, who lived alone.

Officers are reviewing their investigation of an incident last year, when the pensioner was targeted by thieves posing as gardeners.

Neighbours said the dead woman had lived in the three-storey house for as long as any of them could remember. One resident, who did not wish to be named, said she spoke to Ms Kelmenson several weeks ago.

She said: “She told me that there was somebody after her money but I didn’t ask any more about it. I just assumed she was old and confused.”

Others described Ms Kelmenson as independent and able-bodied, despite her age. Many thought she was some ten years younger than her real age because she was so active.

Ms Kelmenson had lived with her four brothers and sisters, none of whom had ever married, said neighbours. One said that following their deaths over the past few years, the pensioner had told everyone that she simply wanted to be left alone.

Ms Kelmenson had nursed each brother and sister at home, said the neighbour. “She was a really nice old lady and we are very shocked.”

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said the death was being treated as “suspicious”. Detective Chief Inspector Caroline Goode, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, is leading the inquiry.

A next-door neighbour, Rebecca Goldberger, who has lived in the area for more than 16 years, said that her family had seen the pensioner just over a week ago.

“The police say the house has been very cold so I think that is confusing things about when she might have died. Nobody knows how long she’s been there,” she said.

“This is quite a busy street and there are always people coming and going. Everybody is shocked.”

She said her neighbour had been robbed last year by conmen posing as gardeners, who tricked their way into the house and stole money.

Police outside the house had cordoned off both the dead woman’s home and the next door property.

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