Detectives have arrested a Bradenton man they said robbed and murdered an elderly woman in her apartment on Friday.
According to police, 79-year-old Helen Vanorden was found dead inside her apartment around 6:10 p.m. on 46th Avenue Terrace W in Bradenton.
Detectives arrested Richard W. Matthews Jr., 32, of Bradenton, and charged him with murder and burglary in connection.
Officials said the motive appears to be burglary, and that Matthews knew of Vanorden through one of her family members.
Vanorden's son found her dead on Friday when he came to check on her.
Her death was originally investigated as suspicious until the results of an autopsy showed that Vanorden was murdered.
"She would talk to everybody, you know, just a real friendly neighbor," said neighbor Joyce Bateman.
The cause of death is not being released at this time.