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Family Of Slain Elderly Woman Plead For Help

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - Family members are pleading for the public's help to find the person or persons responsible for the murder of an 81-year-old Southfield woman.

"For anyone that knows anything, please realize this is our mother and an amazing woman and a human being that was taken in the most ruthless horrific way," said  Nancy Gail who flew in from L.A. after her mother Helen Gail was killed last weekend.

Police said they have no suspects in the murder which happened sometime between 7:30 p.m. Friday and early Saturday morning. That's when Gail's body was found inside her burning car in Highland Park.

Police said there appears to have been a struggle at Gail's home on Winchester Street, but there was no sign of forced entry.  Gail's family members say she never would have let anyone in who she didn't know.

Daughter Stephanie Johnson said it's the violence of the murder that troubles her the most.

"With me, it's that she was terrified at the end of her life. That's the hardest part," Johnson said.

A $1,500 reward is being offered for tips leading to an arrest in the case.

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