A man found his 83-year-old wife dead at their Tarxien home yesterday morning, the police said.

The woman was lying next to a washing machine and her hand had a burn mark. There were no signs of violence.

The woman was certified dead by Dr Aldo Fiorini from the Paola health centre.

An autopsy is being held this morning by pathologists Marie Therese Camilleri and Ali Safraz.

Inspector Joseph Borg, who is investigating the case, informed Magistrate Antonio Mizzi, who appointed architect Richard Aquilina, clinical forensic physician Mario Scerri and Prof. Carmel Pule' to assist in the inquiry.