The Prince George’s County Police Department told NBC News the woman’s body was discovered on Saturday, January 25, at the house in the 2900 block of Upland Avenue in the District Heights neighborhood.

Her body was found by the buyer who purchased the home at auction, reports NBC News.

It is not known when the house had been purchased or for how long the woman’s body lay inside. The home had its utilities and power switched off at the time the body was discovered.

A neighbor, who did not wish to be named, told NBC Washington that he grew up across the street from the woman who he believed to have had special needs.

“As we grew up into adults, she never grew up,” he said. “So she needed help with things and didn’t process information as well as an adult would, even though she was an adult.”

The neighbor said the woman used to have a grandmother who looked after her, but she died more than a year ago.

“When her grandmother passed away, that’s what made us come over and just make sure everything was cool — she had food, she had rides to the store, things like that,” he added.

After a home has been foreclosed due to lack of mortgage payments, the property can be auctioned off by a bank. Many auctions can take place online, meaning buyers are able to purchase one without looking at it in person.

The woman also supposedly had a caretaker who stopped showing up a few months ago, along with other members of her family.

“We stopped seeing all traffic, so naturally we thought that she was gone with the family,” the neighbor said.

“We didn’t know, and it’s sad that she was in the house,” he said. “I know they cut utilities. I know there’s no power in there. I’m not sure if there was water in there, but I’m pretty sure if they cut the electricity, they cut the heat, too.

“Nobody wants to be in a house by themselves with no electricity, no gas, no water. That’s not a way to live.”

Prince George’s County Police Department said they are waiting for the Medical Examiner’s office to determine the woman’s cause of death but do not suspect foul play and have ruled out the possibility of homicide, reports WUSA.

“If we knew that she was still in there, we would have at least knocked on the door,” the neighbor said. “We would have at least asked her is everything OK.”

Newsweek has contacted the Prince George’s County Police Department for further comment.