HARTLAND — The death of a woman earlier this month has been ruled a homicide, Maine State Police Public Information Officer Shannon Moss said in a Monday news release.

Vilma Withee, 78, of Hartland, was found dead in a home on Canaan Road, which is also Route 23, at around 5:40 p.m. on April 12, and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central at approximately 6:30 p.m.

The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit is tasked with investigating homicides, suspicious deaths and child abuse cases across Maine.

The call was classified as a “medical emergency” on a Somerset County emergency dispatch log. Two sheriff’s deputies responded and were on scene for several hours, and the Hartland Fire Department and an ambulance were also at the scene for about a half-hour, according to the log.

Withee was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was performed April 14. The circumstances surrounding Withee’s death remain under investigation by state police.

The cause of death is not being released at this time.

There is no known threat to the public.