KAJANG, Malaysia: An old woman and her two daughters were found dead in their home at Tasik Kesuma, Beranang, yesterday.

The partially-decomposed bodies of Kumariswari, 63, K. Sathadewi, 45, and K. Rivati, 43, were found by police, who had been alerted after a neighbour complained about a stench from their house.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Sakaruddin Che Mood said the circumstances surrounding the deaths were unclear but the case had initially been classified as sudden death.

"There are no signs of any struggle or break-in. Kumariswari's daughter-in-law came down from Mantin, Negri Sembilan, with the spare key, which allowed police to gain entry into the house."

It is learnt that one body was found in the living room, another in the toilet and the third upstairs.

A neighbour known as Ling Wan, 67, had knocked on the front door of the house at 9am yesterday but there was no answer.

Deciding to check the situation, he walked round to the back of the house.

"I saw an open window and decided to peek inside. A stench emanating from inside the house hit me in the face. I also saw many flies buzzing around," he said yesterday.

Ling called the police and a patrol car was despatched to the house.

Police knocked on the door several times but there was no response.

Police managed to get in touch with Kumariswari's daughter-in-law, whose husband is working in Dubai, and asked her to bring the spare key.

None of the bodies bore any marks and there were no signs of struggle.

"We are waiting for the forensic report because there is no initial indication of foul play.

"We did not even find any indication of poison or lethal liquid at the scene," Sakaruddin said.

The bodies have been sent to Kajang Hospital for post-mortem