Neighbours heard screaming before a woman was found dead in her front yard on Thursday morning.
The 52-year-old was on her way to work when she was killed near her car outside her Noble Park home in Theodore Avenue about 5.45am.
Homicide squad detectives have been told the woman had been alone beforehand, and it did not appear anything had been taken from her.
She lived with her son and another person, but nobody was home and the house was secure when the body was found.
Acting Senior Sergeant Duncan Bartley from Cranbourne police said there were signs of injury on the body, which remains in the yard of the house, but he would not comment on the nature of the injuries.
The State Emergency Service were conducting a line search nearby looking for a weapon, he said.
Neighbours had contacted paramedics on Thursday morning after hearing screaming, reporting a suspected heart attack.
Senior Sergeant Bartley said the woman had moved to the area only recently.
“There’s been some sort of confrontation at that location,” he said.
“In relation to the injuries I don’t want to speculate, an autopsy will be done and that will determine the cause of death.”
The woman had been renting the house, which is not visible from the police cordon.
Anybody with information is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au
