Massachusetts

DA: Elderly Woman Found Dead From ‘Sharp Trauma' Inside Apartment in Needham, Massachusetts

The victim's car went missing, but has since been located.

An 81-year-old woman was found dead in her Massachusetts apartment, and investigators are treating her death as a homicide.

The body of Laura Shifrina was found late Wednesday night inside her Needham apartment on Linden Street by her daughter during a well-being check, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey.

"It's being investigated as a homicide," Morrissey said, "But I won't call it a homicide until the medical examiner tells me that."

Morrissey said the victim died of "sharp trauma," adding that she may have been dead for up to a couple days.

The victim's car, a Red 2011 Ford Fiesta with Massachusetts plates reading "1BD712," was missing, but has since been found, according to state police.

Boston Fire confirmed the car was towed from Boston. It was located at 1813 Dorchester Ave. No additional details were released.

Police say that they believe this is an isolated incident and they are not aware of any elevated danger in the area.

Needham Police Chief John Schlittler says the last homicide in town was more than 10 years ago.

The apartment, which the victim lived in for about 15 years, is in an affordable housing complex owned by the town.

Neighbors say they're unnerved by the crime.

"I was, like, dumbfounded," Maureen Farrell said. "I was like, 'what?' You know, because this is such a tight place."

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