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September 4, 2008

Anderson Co. officials search for murder clues

By Paul Stone Palestine Herald-Press

PALESTINE — Anderson County sheriff’s investigators continue to seek information in the murder of a 81-year-old Palestine woman who was found deceased inside her residence two weeks ago.

Mary Waters, 81, of Palestine was discovered deceased with “a deep neck wound” just inside the door of her residence on County Road 363 off U.S. 79, approximately five miles east of the Palestine city limits, around 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 20, authorities said.

On Tuesday, Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor told the Herald-Press that his agency remained in the process of conducting interviews as it works to identify a suspect in Waters’ murder.

The sheriff said more than half of “approximately 30” members of a work crew that had been working in the vicinity of Waters’ residence have been interviewed to date.

Taylor said his agency is in the process of setting up an interpreter to assist in interviewing the remaining “dozen or so” workers who are Spanish speaking.

Waters’ son, who frequented his mother’s residence, called 9-1-1 after discovering her body, authorities have said.

“He’s been talked to several times and he’s going to be talked to again in the coming days,” Taylor said. “You take these things kind of slowly. We have no reason to specifically point to him as a suspect.”

The sheriff, however, stated that it is common procedure in such investigations to interview the person who discovers the body of a victim, regardless of their relationship.

Taylor has previously said there was a large amount of blood at the murder scene, but declined comment when asked if investigators believe the woman was killed inside or outside her residence.

Authorities have not found a murder weapon.

Taylor declined to say whether authorities believe Waters was cut with a knife, only stating the woman sustained “some kind of cutting wound” administered by “some type of sharp instrument.”

“It cut her throat,” the sheriff stated.

Authorities continue to say nothing is missing from Waters’ residence as they struggle to find a motive for the woman’s killing. Investigators are in the process of attempting to subpoena the victim’s telephone records.

“That’s really what makes it super baffling,” Taylor said. “There’s nothing missing. There’s nothing out of place that we can tell.”

The sheriff also said Anderson County Crimestoppers continues to offer up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in connection with Waters’ murder.

Anderson County Crimestoppers can be contacted by calling 903-729-TIPS (8477).

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