Harlingen police: Foul play has not been ruled after body found

HARLINGEN — Harlingen police investigators are awaiting the results of a toxicology report to determine what killed a woman whose decomposing body was found Sunday in her own home.

Foul play hasn’t been ruled out in the death of 50-year-old Alicia Pilouw as officers continue investigating “unusual circumstances” surrounding her death, said Dave Osborne, public information officer for the Harlingen Police Department.

An unofficial autopsy report revealed “no signs of blunt-force trauma immediately present,” said Osborne.

Justice of the Peace Sally Gonzalez ordered the autopsy.

Osborne said late Monday that the toxicology report will give a more detailed idea of the “not-so-obvious” possible causes of death.

Police are hoping to get the toxicology report today, Osborne added.

According to police reports, when officers arrived at the home at 2701 S. Calle Duquesa Sunday afternoon, “it was confirmed that (Pilouw) was deceased under circumstances that appeared unnatural.”

Pilouw’s husband called police after he discovered her body, Osborne said.

“(Pilouw’s husband) said he hadn’t seen her for a few days,” Osborne said. “We believe she had been dead for at least three days.”

However, neighbors said they believe Pilouw’s husband was at the home Saturday evening, just one day before police discovered the woman’s body.

“(Pilouw’s husband) was still living there because Saturday afternoon my husband saw him,” Cecilia Alonzo, a neighbor, said.

Both Alonzo and Mary Garcia, who live on Calle Duquesa, said the last time they saw Pilouw was Monday or Tuesday of last week.

“I believe it was her step-daughter that found her body,” Garcia said. “From what we understand … (Pilouw’s husband) was staying there at the home and the body was there all the time.”

Garcia said she had known Pilouw for about 29 years and described her as a nice, quiet lady who kept to herself.