Celebrity perfumer Monika Ghurde, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Friday was strangulated, police said on Saturday.
The investigators have however said that whether the 39-year-old victim was raped or not, will be confirmed only after more forensic tests.
Speaking to The Pioneer Deputy Inspector-General of Police Vimal Gupta said that early forensic reports have suggested that the victim died due to asphyxia. "The death was due to asphyxia, which was caused by compression of the mouth and neck," Gupta said, quoting the forensic reports.
The official also said that the results of a vaginal swab test taken on Friday were still under process. "The vaginal swab test will confirm rape. We will be able to say for sure, only when the report comes in," Gupta said.
Monika's missing phone from the scene of crime has also intrigued the police, who are now working on the theory, that the killer could have done away with the phone in order to ensure that in case Monika survived the assault, she could not call the police.
"Whoever has done it, it could be a strategic thing, just in case she was not dead and called the police for help. It could be a strategy by the accused," Gupta said.
Ghurde, who originally hails from Nagpur, was found naked and tied to the bed in her house in a posh apartment complex in Sangolda village, which is located near the popular Calangute Beach in North Goa.