About two years ago, two women in their 70s named Marion were killed, and police say they believe the same person is responsible.
A neighbor found Marion Marshall dead in her Springfield home about 6 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2006, after a friend called to express concern.
Surveillance video shows her leaving the Giant at Bradlick Shopping Center about 11:30 a.m. that day.
"We think she arrived home and shortly after arriving home, she was assaulted by the suspect, the perpetrator," said Detective Christopher Flanagan.
Investigators found grocery bags on the kitchen floor but few signs of a struggle and no indication anything was stolen, police said.
"In processing the scene, we didn't see obvious signs of forced entry," Flanagan said. "When looking at the scene, it's not what you'd think of when you hear the term ransacked."
About three months later, Marion Newman was killed in her home. Both women lived alone in small, single-story homes, about a mile-and-a-half away from each other.
"I think the suspect targeted elderly females," said Detective John Wallace. "I don't think that their names are Marions spelled with an 'o' has any significance. Unfortunately, it's a coincidence. After investigating both Marions, they never crossed paths."
Both were killed with blunt force trauma to the upper body, police said.
"Ultimately, the physical evidence we recovered leads us to believe we're looking for the same individual in both cases," Flanagan said.
Anyone with information about either woman's death should call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
