Greene County authorities investigate an October 2016 homicide (photo credit to KSGF Radio in Springfield

Greene County authorities investigate an October 2016 homicide (photo credit to KSGF Radio in Springfield

The Greene County Sheriff in southwest Missouri says an elderly woman murdered Monday was seen outside her home near Strafford speaking to the suspect, before the killing happened. At a Tuesday news conference in Springfield, Sheriff Jim Arnott says a 16-year-old from Republic is accused of murdering 80-year-old Mary Shisler.

“And I can’t tell you exactly why she was outside or what led her outside and that type of thing,” Arnott told reporters.

The Sheriff describes the killing as a horrific crime- brutal and random. Missourinet Springfield affiliate KSGF Radio reports the victim was struck in the head and stabbed. Deputies found the victim about 200 feet from her home.

Arnott says 185 pieces of evidence have been collected so far in the case.

KSGF reports two things are clear: the teen and Shisler were strangers and there was a motive. What that motive was has not been released at this time.

“We do have the information on that (motive). If the certification process is upheld, we will see all of that in the probable cause statements. Pretty clear,” says Arnott.

The suspect has been charged in juvenile court. A judge can decide if the teen will be charged as an adult.