PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
A woman found dead in an apartment on Southeast Belmont Street was the victim of a homicide, police have learned.
Detectives will not release the details of how she was killed, because they say there is specific information that could help them catch the suspect.
Police were called to Southeast 14th and Belmont at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
SLIDESHOW: Portland police crime scene
Officers don't know how long the body had been there. Neighbors said they noticed a foul odor coming from the complex over the last week, but they just assumed it was because of someone's pet.
"My boyfriend was on the second floor a few nights ago and said something smelled really bad," said tenant Jennifer Gill. "He talked to a detective today who said it was definitely the body that he was smelling."
FOX12 obtained an e-mail sent to tenants Wednesday afternoon, from Star Metro Properties Inc.
It says the company received a complaint about a foul smell coming from the apartment on Saturday, but a worker didn't check it out until working hours Monday.
According to the e-mail that worker entered the apartment, and didn't find the victim. Instead, finding cats with out food, and feces and urine throughout the apartment.
Monday night another call was made to the management company, but it wasn't until Tuesday, a worker re-entered the unit, finding the body and called police.
"That's a horrible thing, and someone needs to be held responsible for the murder, but also for the fact she was left there so long," said resident Mattie Sleeth. "It's not right, and the family shouldn't have to think about that.
Portland police said the woman is in her 30s, and they're still working with the medical examiner to determine her identity.
No suspect has been identified.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Kristina Coffey at 503-823-0833.
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