Action News has learned that the victim, 86-year-old Mary Pellegrino, lives alone at a home on the 2300 block of Pine Road, near the intersection of Red Lion and Pine Roads.
Pellegrino was found dead inside the home sometime Sunday with head injuries. It appears she had been deceased for days.
Police received a call shortly after 1:00 Sunday afternoon from a handyman at Pellegrino's home. The handyman said the woman was unresponsive, and upon arriving at the address police found that she was deceased.
Lower Moreland Police soon opened a joint investigation with Montgomery County Detectives and after a preliminary investigation they determined that the victim did not die of natural causes.
On Monday an autopsy was conducted by a Forensic Pathologist who ruled Pellegrino's death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to her head.
Though it is still early in the investigation, the District Attorney's Office says theft may have been the motive.
Pellegrino was last seen on December 30th. She did not have children, we're told, and only a few relatives in the area with whom she was close.
Police are seeking information about anyone who worked for Mrs. Pellegrino in the past. If you have seen anything suspicious in the area of the residence you are urged to contact authorities at (215) 947-3132 or (610) 278-3368.
