Pennsylvania

Elderly Philadelphia Woman's Throat Slashed in Home, Her Car Missing

UPDATE: Police recovered the missing woman's car the next day.


An elderly woman was found dead with her throat slashed inside her East Mt. Airy home Monday morning and her car is missing, Philadelphia Police said.

"There is nothing sadder than seeing an 85-year-old female who cannot defend herself -- who's inside of her house -- someone either was let in or forced their way in and beat her and stabbed her to death," said Philadelphia Police Homicide Division Capt. James Clark. "It's very sad, it's very tragic."

Regina Brunner's son found her bludgeoned in her bed just before 11 a.m. inside the first floor bedroom of a rancher-style home along the 300 block of Roumfort Road in East Mt. Airy, police said.

Sources close to the investigation said it appeared robbery was the motive for the attack.

The woman's 2007 silver Toyota Corolla -- with disabled Pennsylvania tag PD-1402X -- was missing. Neighbors noticed something was up after Brunner's car remained in the driveway rather than the garage all weekend then she didn't come out to get her newspaper Monday morning while the car was gone. She also didn't show up to her job at the Chestnut Hill Local where she proofread obituaries.

There were no signs of forced entry and the home didn't appear to be ransacked, police said.

"Hopefully we will get to the bottom of it very quickly," said Clark.

Anyone who spots the car or knows details in the case should contact Philadelphia Police.

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