Published: July 13, 2008 10:42 pm      

Rockwood woman’s death under investigation

ROCKWOOD — State police are investigating the death of a woman found lifeless in her home along Somerset Avenue.

Melissa Jane Benford, 38, was reported dead at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.

Her husband, Brian Benford, said he had been sleeping upstairs after working the night shift and came downstairs after his wife didn’t answer the phone. She had experienced medical problems, he added.

“She was a very loving person,” he said, his voice cracking. “She was a good person, a good mother and a good wife.”

The couple has an 8-year-old daughter, Benford said.

Police released few details, except that they are awaiting autopsy and toxicology reports.

Somerset County Coroner Wallace Miller said he had no information on Sunday and could not say whether Mrs. Benford appeared to have died of natural causes.