A MURDER investigation has been launched after a pensioner was found beaten and bound in her own home.

At about 10pm last night, police officers were called to a residential address in Ranelagh Road, Ealing.

On arrival officers discovered the body of a woman in her 80s who had been bound at her ankles and wrists and had been beaten around the head with what police believe was a blunt instrument.

The gruesome discovery was made by some of the victim's lodgers when they returned home from work.

The woman has not been identified at this stage. A post mortem will be carried out at New Ealing Hospital at 10am on Friday.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Benjamin of Serious Crime Group West, London is leading the investigation and is eager to speak to anyone who might have seen or heard anything suspicious on Wednesday.

He said: "We are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. It is unclear at this stage what the motive for the attack was. There are no visible signs of forced entry but we are eager to speak to anyone who might have seen anything suspicious."

Police officers are carrying out door-to-door enquiries and a fingertip search of the area will be carried out in due course.

Anyone with any information is asked to call 020 7321 9251 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

January 30, 2003 15:30