Authorities identify elderly Bismarck woman whose death called homicide

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The death of an 83-year-old Bismarck woman is being investigated as a homicide and officers are searching for her missing vehicle, police said.

Ann Grenstiner's niece found her body in the woman's home Tuesday afternoon and alerted police. Deputy Police Chief Don Donlin said at a news conference Wednesday morning that the woman was found in a bedroom and had “obvious trauma to the body” but no gunshot wounds, The Bismarck Tribune reported. An autopsy was planned Wednesday.

The victim's silver 2012 Honda CR-V was believed stolen. The North Dakota license plate numbers are 7008A.

“We are obviously looking for the vehicle and appreciate the public's help,” Donlin said.

Authorities are pursuing “numerous leads,” the deputy chief said.

“(We are) trying to locate people to reconstruct the last couple of days,” he said.

Police did not immediately identify the woman. Donlin did not know if she lived alone.

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