A Monroe woman was strangled to death on Sunday, officials with the medical examiner's office announced this afternoon.

Angela Pettifer, 36, was found dead by police just after 10 a.m. in her apartment at the Savoy building on W. Main Street. Her death is being called a homicide.

At least one person spotted Pettifer on Saturday night at a restaurant in downtown Monroe, police spokeswoman Debbie Willis said.

Her ex-boyfriend told police he visited her apartment to check on her the next morning. He found her unresponsive and called 911.

When police arrived a few minutes later they determined she was dead.

Police wouldn't say anything else about what they found in the apartment.

Monroe police did not release information about Pettifer's death until this morning. Willis said detectives were waiting for a preliminary ruling on the cause of death from the medical examiner.

Pettifer lived alone in the downtown apartment. She worked at Red Robin restaurant in Monroe.

Investigators want to talk with anyone who may have seen the woman Saturday night. The police described Pettifer as white, 5-feet, 6-inches tall, blonde and petite. She was wearing a blue T-shirt and jeans.

Police have asked people to call 360-794-6300 if they have more information. Anonymous information also may be left on the department's tip line at 360-863-4600.