The victim, identified as Mary Elizabeth Blaskey, lived in the home on the 3000 block of North Fremontia Drive with one of her adult sons, who had left the residence about 4 a.m. for work. Around 2 p.m., her other son came to the home to take Blaskey to a doctor's appointment, and found her murdered and the house ransacked.
Authorities did not release information on how Blaskey died, but said there were signs of trauma. They believe she was killed during a possible home invasion sometime in the late morning.
"We do not have a motive at this time. We're not quite understanding how they entered the residence at this time," said San Bernardino Police Lt. Paul Williams.
Police believe the person or persons responsible for the murder took off in the victim's car. Authorities are asking for the public's help to locate the gray/green 2001 Lexus ES 300 with California license plate 4ULT539.
"We know there's millions of eyes out there. There could be suspects in that vehicle, there could be trace evidence," said Williams. "If you see it, don't approach it. Call your local law enforcement agency immediately and let them know that you have located that vehicle."
Blaskey had lived in the San Bernardino home for more than 30 years. The murder has shocked the neighborhood.
"You don't think something like this would happen even around here, and it just goes to show that there's cold-hearted people everywhere that, they just don't care," said friend and neighbor Crystal Blake. "She loved my daughter, she loved my brother's son, she was just an all-around excellent person."
One neighbor, who didn't want to be identified, described Blaskey as a sweet woman who was always willing to lend a helping hand.
"She was always there for everybody else, never complained, always good-humored, (and) kind... (the) kindest woman on earth. We should have more of those," said the neighbor.
Even though many residents consider it a nice neighborhood, some wonder about their safety. Blaskey's home had apparently been broken into a month ago and her laptop was stolen, according to neighbor Geri Jure, whose own home has been broken into twice over the past couple years.
Anyone with information was asked to call the San Bernardino Police Department at (909) 384-5742.
