Skopje - Macedonian police on Thursday arrested a woman suspected of murdering her adult son and later dismembering and burning his body, local media reported.

A 59-year-old woman from the village of Orizari, 120 kilometres southeast of Skopje, reported her son missing on September 29, but investigations showed he never left the house.

The mother later told police the son, aged 32, hanged himself and that she was so ashamed she cut up his body and burned it.

Police are investigating whether the son was killed or committed suicide and whether the mother has psychological problems. (dpa)