Car could hold key in north Qld murder

A blue Holden Astra seized by police could hold the key to solving the suspected murder of a 71-year-old woman in north Queensland.

The woman's body was found at a home on Dalrymple Road, Townsville, shortly after 2pm on Friday.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on Saturday afternoon and the incident is being treated as suspicious.

Homicide detectives impounded the woman's vehicle after it was found in the Townsville suburb of Aitkenvale on Friday afternoon.

"It is important for us to be able to trace this vehicle's movements before it made its way there, specifically the two hours immediately prior," Detective Acting Superintendent Cheryl Scanlon said on Saturday.

Anyone who saw the vehicle in Townsville between 10.30am and 4pm Friday should contact police, she said.

"We know a vehicle matching that description was spotted in Railway Estate yesterday and local residents interacted with an occupant. Some of those people have already been interviewed by investigators."

A man and a woman are helping police with their inquiries.