Elderly Woman Stabbed To Death In Own Garage; Person Of Interest Sought: Atlanta Police

ATLANTA, GA — An elderly woman was found stabbed to death in her garage Saturday in Buckhead, according to Atlanta police, who are seeking the public’s help to identify a person of interest in connection with the case.

Eleanor Bowles, 77, is believed to have interrupted a person who was trying to steal her 2021 Lexus RX 350 from her home on Paces West Terrace Northwest, police said. When she encountered the thief, the intruder stabbed her repeatedly, according to police.

Bowles was discovered shortly before 6 p.m., but authorities believe the attack occurred much earlier, likely between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., police said. The victim was found by her son, who had come home to visit for the holidays, according to police.

“This is not a way that a family should have to spend their holiday season, mourning and grieving a death of a loved one,” Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. said at a press conference streamed Sunday on Facebook.

The thief escaped with the car and is believed to have driven it through the city, but authorities eventually recovered it in DeKalb County, according to police.

Authorities are looking to identify and find a person of interest who they believe may have “significant information” about the case, police said, releasing images of the person on Facebook and noting that tipsters could receive a $10,000 reward.

Anyone able to assist is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. Neighbors who may have surveillance footage from around the time of the killing are asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 404-546-7896. Hampton also asked residents to integrate their security cameras into the Connect Atlanta system to allow law enforcement more expedient access to video in the wake of a crime.