NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — The car of a woman found dead inside her New Smyrna Beach home has been found in Daytona Beach Thursday.
Darlene Robertson's grandson has been named a person of interest in the case, authorities said.
Officials said they are investigating Robertson's death as a homicide after she was found Wednesday with wounds from blunt force trauma to her head and cuts to her stomach.
Authorities said they believe Robertson's grandson, Patrick Christopher Campbell, 27, could have something to do with Robertson's death, but they still haven’t figured out a motive.
Witnesses placed him at the home at some point Tuesday night.
Anyone with information on Campbell's whereabouts is asked not to make contact with Campbell, but to instead contact law enforcement right away.
"I think that it's safe to say that he is not of his right mind," said Mike Coffin, of the New Smyrna Police Department. "As to what that is, whether it's emotionally disturbed or he may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, I don't know."
Photos: Woman's body found in NSB home
Campbell is no stranger to law enforcement and has faced drug and alcohol charges in the past, officials said.
Investigators said his 64-year-old grandmother was found in her home on Desoto Drive by her son at about 10 a.m. Wednesday after she did not show up for work.
"Can't imagine why this would happen, but that's the way it is in this day and time," said neighbor Woody Mckay. “She was a neighbor and a friend, and we liked her very much. We can’t imagine something like this happening in our neighborhood.”
Robertson worked for a local condominium association.
"When the condominium association called this morning and said she didn't show up for work, they called him, and he came over and found her," said McKay.
Investigators are working to see if surveillance from McKay's home will have the clues to solve Robertson's slaying and to locate her grandson.
"He [officer] came in and went through all the video and found the timeline and could see when the person on the bicycle arrived, and also when the car backed out of the garage," said McKay.
Police said she lived alone, and the last time anyone heard from Robertson was at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
"From that point on, we set up a crime scene here due to the fact that we observed some injuries on the body, some blunt trauma to the head, some cuts, maybe some stab wounds to the midsection," said Sgt. Shane Riggle, of the New Smyrna Beach Police Department.
Investigators obtained a search warrant and are inside the home gathering evidence.
Anyone with information is on this crime is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 888-277-TIPS (8477).
Tipsters may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to an indictment.
WFTV
