The woman is thought to have gone for a swim in the pool at her villa in Porches, Lagoa, on Thursday night.


She was found the following morning and INEM emergency medics were called.


In a statement to The Portugal News INEM confirmed “A call for help was received for a lady of around 70-years-old, who was found floating in the pool at her home.


“The CODU [emergency central] sent an ambulance belonging to the Lagoa Fire-fighters and a VMER emergency resuscitation vehicle to the locale, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.”


The woman is believed to have died following sudden illness.


Although no foul play is thought to have been involved in the incident as no signs of a crime were found at the scene, due to the inexistence of witnesses the body was sent for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.


The deceased is thought to be a long-term resident who lived in the villa with her two dogs, which are being looked after by friends.