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Detectives Waver Between Murder Or Suicide In Death Of Hermosa Beach Woman

HERMOSA BEACH (CBS) — A 43-year-old Hermosa Beach woman is dead and now detectives are trying to determine if it was a murder or suicide.

Deputy Mark Pope of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau says officials are wavering.

Authorities were called to the 600 block of Eighth Street in Hermosa Beach at 11:10 p.m. Tuesday, according to Deputy Mark Pope of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau.

The woman was taken to a hospital where she was declared dead, Pope said. Her name was not released.

The deceased woman's husband reportedly told officials his wife committed suicide about 11 a.m.

She had a gunshot wound to the upper torso.

The husband was questioned and reportedly released.

Witnesses reportedly told police that they heard an argument, shortly followed by a gunshot, according to  Pope.

Authorities say the investigation is continuing.

Neighbor Ryan Deihl told CBS2 and KCAL9 reporter Serene Branson that the violence hit close to home. "It's very scary. This is like a small neighborhood. People know each other, always walking around. It's very scary stuff."

When Deihl left for work Wednesday morning, he knew something was wrong. "The eastbound side of E street was closed. And at first I thought maybe it was some mild disturbance."

Another neighbor, Karen Griet, who was interviewed by detectives said the couple only moved into the residence several months ago. "We live catty-corner behind them," she told Branson, "and they would sometimes have parties. But they were done with their parties fairly early."

The couple did not have any children.

Police describe the husband as "cooperative."

Anyone with information on the death was asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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