Suicide Mistaken for Halloween Decoration

The apparent suicide of a woman found hanging from a tree went unreported for hours because passers-by thought the body was a Halloween decoration. The 42-year old woman used rope to hang herself across the street from some homes on a moderately busy road late Tuesday. The body, suspended about 15 feet above the ground, could be easily seen from passing vehicles.

Neighbors said people noticed the body at breakfast time Wednesday but dismissed it as a holiday prank. Authorities were called to the scene more than three hours later.