A woman died after a massive hoard of belongings she had accumulated over many years plunged through her floor into the basement.

Police went to the home of of 66-year-old Beverly Mitchell in Cheshire, Connecticut, after a postal worker reported that her mail was piling up. Officers did not initially find anyone and thought Ms Mitchell was not home. It was only when they went back the following day that they realised the floor had collapsed.

Her body was found a day later as crews used a mechanical digger to clear the debris. Medical officials said she died of asphyxiation, and police said she might have been dead for more than a week. Building officials are determining whether the home needs to be torn down.