Police: Fatal shooting likely was an accident

FRIENDSWOOD — A 56-year-old woman found dead in her home Sunday is believed to have accidentally shot herself, authorities said.

Police still are interviewing friends and relatives but found no evidence of foul play, Friendswood Police Chief Bob Wieners said.

The woman’s daughter and son-in-law found the body in the laundry room of her home in the 2000 block of Pine Drive about 7:30 p.m., Wieners said.

Melinda Eickhoff was shot in the chest, John Florence, spokesman with the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office, said.

Police said the pistol that fired the shot was recovered at the scene. The house showed no signs of a forced entry or a struggle inside, and no valuables were stolen, Wieners said.