Big Island police are investigating the death of a 51-year-old woman found early Wednesday in a Hilo apartment where she was staying as a house guest.

Police called to the Pu'ueo apartment at 4:46 a.m. found the body of Roberta June Whitehouse, who had no permanent address.

Police Lt. Mitchell Kanehailua said a preliminary examination at Hilo Medical Center did not reveal any obvious sign of trauma on Whitehouse's body, and that there was no indication there had been a struggle or argument.

However, police say the 48-year-old permanent resident of the apartment made statements to detectives that led them to arrest her on suspicion of murder.

Hilo detectives executed a search warrant on the apartment later Wednesday to look for further evidence, but the suspect was later released pending further investigation.

An autopsy of Whitehouse is scheduled for today.