BELLAIRE - The victim of a robbery and brutal murder in West Bellaire last week has been identified as 92-year-old Lydia Ashworth.
According to reports, Ashworth lived by herself at 124 Fourth Ave. The suspect, or suspects, broke into the rear of her home late Friday night, robbing and then killing her.
An obituary in today's edition of The Times Leader states that her husband, Leroy, had died in 1992. It also reads that Ashworth was a homemaker, loving mother, grandmother, aunt and sister. She was a Catholic by faith.
She is survived by two children, a grandson and several nieces and nephews.
Bellaire Police Chief Mike Kovalyk said today that his department is continuing its investigation into the heinous crime.
There are still no suspects at this time and law enforcement officials are asking for help from the community.
"We are checking a few things out in different directions," Kovalyk said. "We have had some communications from some people."
Kovalyk said an autopsy was to be performed Monday in Newark, Licking County. The results had not been released when The Times Leader went to press.
Anyone that may have saw anything suspicious late Friday or early Saturday is asked to call the Bellaire Police Department at (740) 676-3322.
"We hope to catch someone," Kovalyk stressed.
While some fear has spread through the tiny community just off Ohio 149, Kovalyk said residents need to be aware of their surroundings.
"If anyone sees anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, they should call us immediately," he stressed. "If they see someone they don't know walking around, write down a description of that person. If they see a strange car in the neighborhood, get the license number and/or make and color of the car.
"Every little detail helps us out, and we solve most of our crimes with the help of the good people of our community," Kovalyk added.
Kovalyk said his department received a call at 12:58 p.m. Saturday that a 92-year-old female had been found in her residence y a family member.
North can be reached at knorth@timesleaderonline.com
