OAKLAND — The grandson of a missing 71-year-old East Oakland woman has been charged with killing her, though her body has not been found, according to police and court records.

Maurice C. Washington Jr., 33, is charged with murder in the death of Theola Polk, who was last seen alive July 6 at her home in the 1100 block of 64th Avenue. The charge also carries a special-circumstance allegation that the killing was done for financial gain, as authorities believe Washington used or tried to use Polk’s credit cards after her disappearance.

Washington was initially arrested by police on July 14 on a misdemeanor drug charge warrant. Since then, according to court records, he has made several statements and admissions to homicide investigators indicating Polk is dead and that he was involved in her death. But he has refused to cooperate in efforts to find her, authorities said. He was re-booked July 17 for investigation of murder.

Police believe Polk was killed on or about July 7 in her apartment and her body disposed of. Police have not said how they believe she was killed, but several different blood stained items were found inside her apartment, and bedding, including pillows, were missing, according to court records.

Polk was reported missing by family members July 11 after they became concerned because they were not able to reach her by phone for several days, which was unusual. Relatives also went by her home where she lived alone but got no response.

According to court records, a relative later told police she saw Washington on July 9 and he appeared to be drunk and had blood all over his clothing, hands and neck and had scratches on his face.

According to court records, relatives told police Polk was afraid of Washington as were other relatives. According to the records, he has assaulted another relative previously.

Police have searched extensively for Polk near her home, landfills and other sites, including using a cadaver dog, but have not found her.

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Oakland police seek missing at-risk senior According to court records, Washington has a felony grand theft conviction from March 2008 that he received probation for. He is being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail.

Polk, a longtime advocate for affordable housing, has been active with the East Bay Housing Organization, appearing at numerous functions to talk about the issue.

In prior media accounts, she had described a “housing emergency” and said of Oakland that if skyrocketing housing prices and rent increases were not dealt with, then future generations of families would not be able to live in the city they grew up in.

Family members could not immediately be reached for comment.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call homicide investigators at 510-238-3821.