(08/18/06) STRATFORD ? Police in Stratford say they are investigating the death of woman found in the Housatonic River as a homicide.

A Department of Transportation inspector working on the Sikorsky Bridge found Mary Somohano?s naked body in the river Tuesday. Family members say the woman was last seen on August 8. At that time, relatives say Somohano was preparing to drive to Wal-Mart in her red 2002 Nissan Sentra. Police have not found that automobile.

An autopsy on Somohano?s body revealed no obvious signs of foul play. However, relatives believe someone else was involved in her death. They say Somohano was an upbeat woman who never talked about suicide. In addition, they say the Housatonic River is located in a different direction from the Wal-Mart where Somohano was headed.