THE eccentric widow of a university professor was found dead in her flat – and may have been undiscovered there for several months.

Cynthia Buttle led a ’rather eccentric and isolated lifestyle’ and did not have visitors to her home in a flat in Richmond Place, Dawlish, an inquest heard.

Police were alerted by a strange smell coming from the apartment and they discovered her badly decomposed body inside.

The 62-year-old was recognised by her distinctive hairstyle but the cause of her death could not be ascertained.

The Plymouth inquest heard she was a ’very private person’ and the coroner said he had to surmise that she had been ’for some considerable time’ which police believe was two months.

The senior Plymouth coroner Ian Arrow recorded an open conclusion saying: ‘Sadly she died alone in her property.’