Detectives have found a second body at a house in Southport, after launching a murder inquiry following discovering a body at a house in the same area.
The grim discovery was made at a house in Birch Street, Southport, early on Wednesday morning.
A 43-year-old man was arrested after the first body was found in Lonsdale Road on Tuesday.
Merseyside police said both victims were believed to be women in their 80s.
"As a result of further inquiries a second body has been recovered at an address in Birch Street in the early hours of this morning," police said in a statement.
"At this time the cause of death has yet to be established and Home Office post mortems will be carried out later today.
"A 43-year-man from Southport has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and will be further interviewed in connection with the enquiry."
The first victim was today named locally as widow Margaret Biddolph who was described as "jolly and independent".
Detective Chief Inspector John Roberts said on Tuesday night: "This a tragic incident that has resulted in the death of an elderly woman.
"While we are at the early stages of the murder inquiry, we are investigating a possible connection with a burglar."
A neighbour described Mrs Biddolph as a "quiet, lovely woman" who she would often see tending her garden.
Marianne Lott, who lives opposite Mrs Biddolph's home, said: "She was very jolly and independent.
"She was in her 80s but that didn't stop her getting taxis out and about to get groceries or do some shopping."
Mrs Lott said her neighbour had been a widow for 40 years and had three grown-up children. Police said last night they were trying to trace next of kin.
The widow is believed to have lived in Lonsdale Road, where officers found her body at 5.20pm yesterday, for 36 years.
A neighbour of Annie Leyland said: "She was the sort of person who kept herself to herself."
Another neighbour said: "Its a bit of a shock. It's not something that you expect."
Post-mortem examinations of the women's bodies are expected to be carried out later today.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FMIT on 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Belfast Telegraph reported police believed the first murder could have been the result of a "burglary gone wrong".