Woman found dead in Warren apartment, police launch homicide investigation

WARREN, Mich. (WJBK) - A 62-year-old Warren woman was found dead inside of her apartment just hours after her family checked in on her.

Family members say Dona Lawrence was found dead inside of her Williamsburg East apartment on Schoenherr near 13 Mile. According to family members, she was found dead on the kitchen floor and had a head wound.

"She's all I've got. She's all I have," her daughter, Renee Lawrence, said. "I don't know how I'm going to do this without her."

Lawrence had a heart attack recently and family members said they had been checking on her regularly. On Wednesday morning, family members were there as usual. Her brother-in-law stopped by around 7 a.m. Wednesday and everything was fine. A few hours later, he returned and her usually immaculate apartment ransacked and her car missing.

"She was bludgeoned to death In her head. And I just broke down because I couldn't believe it. She's so sweet," her neighbor, Mila Leggett, said.

Neighbors said they saw an unknown man pounding on her door and windows only a half hour before she was found dead. They describe the unknown white man as scraggly, about 25 to 30 years old with a mustache and wearing a red shirt and khakis. They say he also had wet, curly hair.

"I know every single person she comes in contact with - but I don't know who this is," Renee said.

Warren police said the station wagon is a 2000 Daewoo Nubira with the license plate DAC 5379. Police said the vehicle has stickers on the back. If anyone sees the vehicle, call police immediately.

"Her purse is missing and they found her belongings along Schoenherr," Warren Mayor Jim Fouts said.

Police say right now they're unsure of a motive and are continuing to search for that suspect and Lawrence's car.

Her daughter vows that she find the person who took away her best friend.

"I was falling apart but now I'm gonna stand strong until I find out who did this to my mom. I need to find out who did this to my mom," Renee said.

A GoFundMe account was set up to help with funeral expenses, click here to donate.