Police offer safety tips to neighbors after elderly woman murdered

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Neighbors in a quiet retirement community told Channel 9 they're terrified to stay in their own beds as police search for the person who killed an 82-year-old woman inside her home Tuesday.

Police haven't found the woman's killer.

Investigators spent eight hours at the home on Torrey Pines Court in south Charlotte looking for clues.

Officers were going door to door Wednesday giving safety tips to frightened neighbors -- like installing another deadbolt to the front door.

Eyewitness News reporter Jenna Deery talked with the victim's son, who said he has no idea who would want to hurt her.

The victim's son and his wife were stunned when they found out the police had classified his mother's death as a homicide.

The couple thought it was an accident and many in the neighborhood can't believe someone is responsible for her death.

The Carmel South neighborhood was a place people like Trish Doyle always felt comfortable calling home.
 
"I have always felt incredibly safe," Doyle said.
 
But on Tuesday night, there's an unsettling feeling that is forcing her to spend the night somewhere else.
 
"I just feel a little apprehensive," Doyle said. "Just for a night or so and then I'll be happy to be back here."
 
That feeling comes from learning that her next door neighbor Ina Feldman was found dead inside her home Tuesday morning.

Doyle said she never heard any commotion.

Feldman's son said he was the one who found his mother's body and it just looked as if she had fallen and hit her head.

Police wouldn't say if there was any obvious injury on her body or why someone would kill her.

They would only stress they need help knowing what happened.

Police said this type of crime there is extremely rare.
 
In fact, that part of Charlotte saw a 20 percent reduction in crime last year.    
   
Eyewitness News requested the 911 call, but police are not releasing it at this time. Police are offering a $5,000 reward for information in the case.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective.

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