NEEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — An 81-year-old woman has been found dead in her Needham apartment and authorities are treating the death as a homicide.

Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said Thursday that Laura Shifrina was found late Wednesday night by her daughter suffering from what he called “sharp trauma.”

She may have been dead for several days. An autopsy is planned.

The victim had lived in the public housing complex for elderly and disabled residents for about 15 years.

Police are also looking for Shifrina’s car, which appears to be missing. It’s described as a red 2011 Ford Fiesta with Massachusetts license plate 1BD-712.


Police Chief John Schlittler says the last homicide in town was more than a decade ago.