A housekeeper found an elderly woman dead inside her home on Monday in Hedwig Village, Texas, but investigators had little go on until they found her vehicle on the southside of Houston on Saturday. They are hoping to find evidence in the car that leads them to the suspect.

ABC13 reports that Janeil Hooten Bernard, 79, was found deceased inside her home on Capital Street in Hedwig Village, a suburban area of Houston, after someone brutally beat and stabbed her to death. Hedwig Police Sgt. Marvin Collins indicated that there was evidence that Bernard, who was described as an “independent” person, fought back. Given her habit of locking her doors at night and never answering to strangers, it’s possible that she may have known her attacker.

“This is a very big hit to this community….It was a very brutal scene.”

The motive for the murder was likely robbery, although detectives are still actively investigating. Half of the victim’s house was ransacked and her red Cadillac was missing. Police discovered the car off of the 2100 block of Van Cleve Street, in an area where people commonly abandon unwanted vehicles. The Houston Police Department is currently running tests on vehicle for evidence.

“Whoever did this didn’t spend a lot of time in the house,” Collins said. ‘There’s a lot of electronics that weren’t taken. Whoever did this was looking for a particular – possibly cash or jewelry. Because she’s a very independent person, there’s not a lot of information as to what all she actually had.”

Investigators are asking anyone that knew Bernard to come forward. Any videos of the victim, including personal ones, are being sought. Contact the Houston Police Department at 713-461-4797.

[Feature Photo: Handout]