EWING -- The death of a woman found on the Delaware & Raritan Canal tow path Wednesday evening is suspected to be a suicide, officials said Thursday.

A person walking on the path near Bernard Drive called Ewing police shortly after 5 p.m. and reported finding a woman's body with a handgun nearby.

Ewing police arrived a short time later and with medics confirmed the woman was dead. The incident is believed to be a suicide, Ewing police said.

The N.J. State Park Police responded and took over the investigation. A spokesman for the agency said Thursday the incident remains under investigation pending an autopsy.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.