Amanda Stratford: Generous But 'Doomed,' Mother Says

Amanda Stratford, the young woman found shot to death in Easton Sunday, was kind and generous, but also "doomed" by a history of dealing drugs.

That's according to her mother Elaine Smith, interviewed in the Wilkes-Barre Citizen's Voice Friday.

"Her life was doomed from stupid mistakes she made earlier in life," Smith told the newspaper. "She so tried to change. But nobody wanted to keep her because of her record. Her past was her past. We all have made mistakes in this life we wish we could take back. You don't want to be judged by with you were."

Stratford, 28, of Nanticoke, Luzerne County, was found shot to death in a pick-up truck on the 100 block of S. Peach Street late Sunday night. 

Police say witnesses heard gunshots in the area before the woman's body was discovered.

City police have said Stratford was involved in the Easton area drug trade, but have not determined whether this was a drug-related killing. Court records from Luzerne County show a history of drug and DUI arrests for Stratford. 

Although police have not commented on a motive, they have said they believe Stratford knew whoever killed her.

Stratford went by the nickname "Money," and police say there may be people in Easton who only knew her by that name. 

If you have information on the case, you can call city detectives at 610-759-2200, 610-250-6656 or the police tip line at 610-250-6635.