An elderly woman was found slain inside her home in Wheaton, Maryland, Wednesday afternoon after a neighbor called police because he had not seen her in a while, police said.
Linda Cheryl Johnston, 72, was found dead in her home on Arcola Avenue, Montgomery County police said Thursday.
Officers were called to Johnston's home after a man asked police to check on her. He noticed her gold Prius, which was always parked in the driveway, was gone.
When officers entered the home about 4:20 p.m., they found Johnston dead with evidence of trauma, police said.
Former neighbor Ela Arriaga fought tears as she spoke about Johnston.
"I hope they do find who ever did it, because it's not fair that someone can lose a life like that," she said.
Johnston attended a Seventh-day Adventist Church in Silver Spring and had retired from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Arriaga said. She rented out rooms in her basement to help make ends meet.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Longtime friend Deborah Evans said Johnston was concerned after she had asked a renter to leave.
"She did mention renting her basement out and that she had a renter who had given her a lot of trouble as far as back-rent," Evans said.
A neighbor said they counted as many as five people who they believe lived in Johnston's basement.
Montgomery County police did not confirm information about Johnston's car or tenants but said they are confident they will be able to make an arrest soon.
"We believe that this is a closeable case," police department spokesman Paul Starks said.
Anyone with information that can help police is asked to call 240-773-5070.
