Sixty-six year old Bertha Dockery was found by her son in afifth-floor apartment of the old Sir Walter Hotel. But residents toldWRAL-TV5'sAmanda Lambthat the woman had beenbeaten to death. Police, however, refused to reveal a cause of death or a possible motive.
Police were called to the building about 8 a.m. by Dockery's son, whomade daily visits to the downtown building, and residents werebeing interviewed by detectives.
Police said they were treating the incident as a homicide and werestill examining Dockery's room.
The Sir Walter is home to about 1,100 elderly residents, many of whomsay they are concerned about their safety in light of Dockery's death.
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