Houston Police Department officers said they responded to a Dollar General on Cullen Road at about 8:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a dumped body behind the business.
Police said paramedics arrived and found the victim, who they say was possibly 40 to 50 years old.
The death was initially thought to be natural, HPD said, but the department added that it is not sure, and homicide detectives were called to investigate.
Police said surveillance video from just before they arrived showed a vehicle coming behind the Dollar Store, with somebody dropping off the body and then driving off.
The sergeant said an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
"We are out here working it as a potential homicide scene," he said. "All we know right now is that the female appears to be in her 40s or 50s. Black female, and we don't have a name at this time."