POLICE are hoping to trace the next of kin of an elderly "recluse" who was found dead in her home last week.
Catherine Elizabeth Robertson, 70, lived alone and had no known surviving family.
Ms Robertson was the only child of David Chaplin Robertson and Louisa May Robertson, who are both deceased, and police are eager to trace any living relatives.
Th
e housebound pensioner was last seen locally on Friday, October 3 by staff at a neighbouring post office and convenience store.
The shopkeeper, who asked not to be named, said: "She used to pop in here for her shopping up until a few months ago when she had a fall.
"We called social services to see if there was anything that could be done for her, but she either refused a home help or was denied one.
"Either way, she ended up living in complete squalor and the only contact she had with the outside world was through the telephone. She would phone here with orders and we would take them round.
"We went to deliver messages on Friday and the house was in an unbelievable state. She told me that social services were coming round to clean the house on Tuesday."
Ms Robertson was found dead in her home on Tuesday, October 7.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131.
The full article contains 238 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
