An 86-year-old Louisiana woman was dead up to six weeks before her family realised.

Coroners in Denham Springs said Mable Spurlock had been dead for at least three weeks and her body had partially decomposed.

Police were eventually called to investigate by her landlord even though her family had been several times in the weeks before.

One of her granddaughters even claimed Mrs Spurlock had nodded her head and mumbled something a week before the police arrived.

Police Chief Jeff Wesley said there is evidence the granddaughter had been in the house several times after the point investigators believe she died.

He said there was also an indication that another relative had spent a night at the house during the period when authorities believe she was dead.

Mrs Spurlock is believed to have died of natural causes, reports the Baton Rouge Advocate.