NEWS: Mysterious Deaths have Police Wondering

That is the situation in Shelby, North Carolina. During a four month period last year, three elderly women have been found dead in their beds. But the clues just don't add up.

CNN.com
Police Chief Charlie VanHoy isn't quite sure what he has on his hands, but he's worried. "This is just baffling and very frustrating," VanHoy said.

The women were all found inside their homes, with no sign of forced entry. In all cases there was jewelry, pocketbooks, and even loaded guns...all not taken. Medical examiners find no traces of foul play, yet police confirm that their telephone lines were all "severed".

Cash was located at the crime scenes, as well as many other valuables. Investigators found the severed phone line after searching the exterior of one of the homes. Their concern became greater when about a month later, another severed line was found.

With the state medical examiner's office ruling out foul play, there has been no breaks in the case yet, but they are hoping for more, with toxicology reports due in soon.

[Edited on 6-2-2004 by ZeddicusZulZorander]

very strange. possibly a serial killer on the loose.

but could the old ladies have severed their own phone lines in order not be bothered?

My granny says she will know when she is about to die, and when she does, she will go lie down quietly in her bed and let it happen. perhaps these ladies knew their time had come, they ripped their phones lines out so they won't be bothered and then laid down in the beds and died.

ok, that is kind of far-fetched. sorry.

It may be a new form of Euthenasia, modeled to look like crime.

That way, the perpatrators do not expose themselves

Originally posted by KrazyJethro
It may be a new form of Euthenasia, modeled to look like crime.

That way, the perpatrators do not expose themselves

Interesting take KJ. But why would someone severe the phone lines? Definately strange...

All three ladies had "life alert". Maybe they did know it was their time and in an effort to either disable a "life alert" system or delay family members from calling an ambulance they cut their own phone lines.

I wrestle near Shelby. It's a quiet, peaceful little town, really very pleasant.
This is all over the news here in Charlotte. What a strange case.

-B.