Published: June 06, 2007 10:59 pm      

$100 stolen in fatal Edmond stabbing

EDMOND — A 67-year-old Edmond woman found dead inside her home died from stab wounds to the neck, a medical examiner’s investigator said Wednesday.

An autopsy conducted on the body of Shirley Ann Shell revealed she had been stabbed and slashed in the neck, said Kevin Rowland, chief investigator for the state Medical Examiner’s Office.

Her body was discovered around 4 a.m. Tuesday by her daughter, who went to the home to check on her mother. Shell’s husband, Joe, who was out of town in Texas, had received a phone message from his wife about 2:30 a.m. and asked his daughter to check on her mother.

The victim’s 95-year-old mother also lived in the home, but was uninjured.

Edmond Police investigators believe the killer took $100 in change from the home. This is the first homicide to occur in Edmond this year.

Police spokeswoman Glynda Chu said police have no suspects in the case.

But Edmond Crime Stoppers has received several calls in connection with Tuesday’s murder.

Chu said detectives are following up on each and every lead in Shell’s murder at her home in the Arrowhead Hills addition.

“Even if people think of something days from now that seemed out of place, they should call Crime Stoppers,” Chu said.

Edmond Crime Stoppers and Joe Shell’s employer, Micro Beef Technologies, are both offering $5,000 reward each for information leading to the killer or killers. Chu said late Tuesday an anonymous $10,000 donation also was being offered.

“People can make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 359-4466 or go to the city’s Web site, edmondok.com and leave a tip,” Chu said.

(John A. Williams may be reached via e-mail at jwilliams@edmondsun.com.)