Free Republic

SHELBY, N.C. -- Shelby police are investigating the death of a partially paralyzed elderly woman. Caroline Allen, 77, was shot and killed inside her Miles Road home Tuesday night. Police say it is the fourth time in the past six months than an elderly woman has died of suspicious causes. Police Capt. Jeff Ledford got the call at 7 p.m. Tuesday. His initial thought? Here we go again. Shelby police are investigating Caroline Allen's death. "When the shift supervisor called and said: ‘Here's what we’ve got. We’ve got an elderly female that lived alone in her house and we found...

Elderly women's deaths baffle N.C. police By Paul Nowell, Associated Press Writer, 2/6/2004 SHELBY, N.C. -- Police Chief Charlie VanHoy isn't quite sure what he has on his hands, but he's worried. From August to November last year, three elderly women were found dead in their beds, dressed in their nightclothes, with no sign of forced entry into their homes. Phone lines were severed, yet medical examiners found no foul play. Further confusing matters, jewelry, pocket books -- even loaded guns -- were not taken. "This is just baffling and very frustrating," VanHoy said Thursday. Lottie Mae Ledford, 85, was...