NANTICOKE -- Investigators in Luzerne County said a 97-year-old woman was apparently beaten or bludgeoned to death in her home on Thanksgiving night.
Folks said Gertrude Price was the nicest neighbor you could hope for, and they are baffled how anyone could break into her home and kill her.
When neighbors on East Grand Street in Nanticoke noticed on Thanksgiving night, the lights in the house were on past 11, they worried something was wrong. Price, who lived inside, never stayed up so late.
In the morning family members made the awful discovery, a burglar had broken in the basement window, ransacked the house, and killed Gertrude.
People who knew her couldn't believe the news.
"She was an angel, that's how good she was. Anybody that done that to her they should be killed," said Hank Novak, a neighbor.
Novak said his friend was careful about safety, always locking her windows and doors, that's why he is so shocked someone was able to break in and kill her.
Police said there was no sign of a weapon, meaning Price was likely beaten or bludgeoned, and the crime appears to be random.
"This poor lady, 97 years old, lives her whole life, and has to leave this world this way," said Trooper Marty Conners, state police at Wyoming.
"It's insane. Whoever it is, I hope they get him, and I hope they get him soon," said Joel smith, a neighbor.
State police believe the attack took place between 10 and 11 Thursday night. They are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual to contact them.