PD: Woman found dead in North Andover basement may have been strangled

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - Police in North Andover are investigating a suspicious death as a homicide after a woman was found dead in her basement.

North Andover officers responded to 50 Lincoln Street at around 12:30 p.m. for a call about a suspicious death.

At the scene, an upstairs resident reported she found the victim, identified as 49-year-old Wendi Rose Davidson, downstairs dead in the basement.

Police say Davidson appeared to have been strangled and that the murder was not random.

Detectives found Davidson's car less than half a mile away from the house in a parking lot of a gym. Staff at the fitness facility said they never noticed the vehicle abandoned there.

North Andover Police provided an update Sunday morning, saying they will "continue to actively investigate the homicide."

"Investigators have executed search warrants on the victim's apartment and motor vehicle, which was located at Choice Fitness, a short distance away from her home. At this time, it is not believed to be a random act. As more information becomes available, it will be released," North Andover Police said.

Neighbors on Lincoln Street in North Andover were surprised to learn someone in their neighborhood could have been the victim of a crime.

"We were in shock, we were really in shock," said Ashley Pintone, a neighbor.

“I don’t think anyone in the neighborhood knows her that well," said another neighbor.

The Essex District Attorney's Office, North Andover Police and the Essex State Police Detective Unit are actively investigating this incident.

Davidson's body was taken to the medical examiner's office, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death.

No arrests have been made.

Cox Media Group