West Australian police are investigating after a heavily pregnant mother was found dead inside a home in the northern Perth suburb of Dayton, near Caversham, on Monday evening.

The body of the 36-year-old woman, who was just eight months pregnant, was discovered in a pool of blood by her older brother.

Mataro Drive, a quiet suburban street near Caversham Primary School, was cordoned off on Tuesday morning as relatives of the woman gathered behind the police tape in tears.

They told Nine News Perth reporter Lucy McLeod the woman, who worked as a nurse, was very gentle and had just gone on maternity leave ahead of her baby’s birth.

She was very excited to welcome her fourth child, one relative said.

Ambulance crews were called to the house just after 6pm, but were stood down after the woman was identified as deceased.

Forensic officers are currently combing the area around the home searching for evidence.

A WA Police spokeswoman said the death was being treated as suspicious.

“Investigators would like to speak to anyone that saw suspicious activity in the street between 10am Saturday, October 2, and 6pm Monday, October 4,” she said.

No suspects have been taken into custody by police.