COLUMBIA, Tenn. — The remains of what were tentatively identified as three human fetuses or infants were discovered in the freezer of a woman who was found dead in her home last month.

A family member who was clearing out the apartment discovered the bodies bagged in a freezer Thursday, Detective Lt. Michelle Jones said.

The age and cause of death will be determined in an autopsy expected to be done Saturday by state Medical Examiner Dr. Bruce Levy.

Jones said 35-year-old Tracy Howard lived alone in the apartment. Her body was found there Nov. 28 after co-workers became concerned when she didn’t show up for work.

An initial autopsy showed she died of natural causes, but toxicology reports are pending.

“There was no indication from the scene that pointed to investigators that it might be suicide,” Jones said. “It appeared natural, even though she was 35.”

DNA tests also will be done to determine whether Howard was the mother. The initial autopsy did not indicate she was pregnant, and so far, no one has said she was.

“Ms. Howard was a rather large female, and it probably would not have been as prominent with her as it would have been with a small woman,” Jones said.

A woman who adopted a baby from China nearly a year ago surrendered to authorities Tuesday on charges that she had killed the 20-month-old girl.

Jennifer Alvey, 34, was indicted Monday by a grand jury on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated child neglect and reckless homicide in the death of Emma Alvey.

Alvey was jailed in Williamson County, south of Nashville. Bail was set at $250,000.

Police detective Sgt. Steve Cretin has said the mother shook Emma and struck the baby’s head on a coffee table in their living room in October.

The child suffered a skull fracture and died at the hospital Oct. 24.