A manhunt is underway after the body of a 26-year-old mother was found outside a florist’s in Somerset.

Police have cordoned off the area outside Roses Flowers also known as Hog Bay Flowers.

A blue tarpaulin is screening the body from public view. A Bermuda Police spokesman said: “It is officially a murder. A young lady was found in an unresponsive state. It is still a very active scene and there is not much we can give in terms of information at the moment.”

The death is believed to have taken place today at about 3.30 p.m. At the moment a forensic support unit van is parked outside the florist’s.

Also present is a Bermuda Fire and Rescue service appliance, three patrol cars, a fire patrol car and Police Toyota Landcruiser. Detectives are combing the scene and Police are believed to be looking for a male suspect.

The 68-year-old female storekeeper at Steel City and the Roses Flower Shop, who asked not to be named, said: “Someone was murdered outside the store. A young lady.

“I didn't see anything. I had just come from the airport. I couldn't see anything. The Police was all there and the ambulance came after. The fire truck was there. Actually I saw [what I thought was] a guy laying in the road but it was a girl.”

A 55-year-old man, who lives on nearby Woodlawn Road, added: “All I saw was somebody lying in the road where Roses Flower Shop is and blood coming out of their head. When I saw them, she was lying on her back outside the sneaker shop. I thought it was an accident but they said no bike was involved.”

* See this website for further updates and tomorrow’s Royal Gazette for the full story.