Police: 83-Year-Old Woman Found Murdered In North Salem Home

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The matriarch of a prominent New York family was found dead in her Westchester County home in what state police said was an apparent homicide.

Lois Colley, 83, was found dead inside her sprawling hilltop estate known as Windswept Farm on Titicus Road in North Salem on Monday, 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported.

As CBS2's Valerie Castro reported, New York state police troopers worked into the dark Tuesday night, talking to anyone driving near the crime scene and handing out fliers asking for information.

The murder took place in the main home on the estate, which is set back from the main road behind a spacious guest house, Young reported.

State Police said Colley died of blunt force trauma and that a missing fire extinguisher could be the murder weapon, CBS2's Lou Young reported.

"She was found in the laundry room, which is just inside the garage, and she was lying on the floor," said New York State Police Lt. Paul DeQuarto.

There was no sign of forced entry.

Teams of police officers scoured the roadsides and wooded areas for the fire extinguisher.

Police also set up a helicopter checking the banks of the Titicus Reservoir, which is part of the New York City water system.

Lois Colley is the wife of millionaire Eugene Colley, who made his fortune as the owner of 100 Mcdonald's franchises. She became known in her own right for her volunteering and social activities, WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported.

The Colley family is well known in New York, moving in some of the same social circles as the Kennedys, Young reported.

From the end of the driveway at the estate, members of the Colley family were seen speaking with investigators late Tuesday.

Locals were aware of the family's prominent social status, including their involvement in equestrian sports such as fox hunting.

"Gene Colley is the master of the hunt, and the horse community here sort of revolves around him and his family," said Vince Salvatore.

"Mrs. Colley was a wonderful person. Every time you met her, she always had a kiss for you," said North Salem Town Supervisor Warren Lucas. "Just a very pleasant lady."

Lois Colley was last heard from around 3 p.m. Monday, and she was dead by 5:20 p.m. Neighbors who spoke to police were not given the impression that the crime was random or that they needed to be extra-vigilant.

State police have been speaking to everyone the victim knew.

"At this point, it's early on in the investigation," DeQuarto said. "And again, we're not ruling anyone out, but at this point, we don't have any suspects."

State police also asked area residents to remain vigilant for suspicious activity.

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