Police Call Delaware County Murder 'Predatory Sadistic Violence'
SECANE, Pa. (CBS) -- Upper Darby Township police revealed disturbing new details in the murder of a Delaware County woman.
A friend found Markia Benson's body in her Secane apartment Wednesday afternoon, after she didn't show up for work.
Finding who did this is so important, there are eight detectives assigned to the case. But Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said this vicious crime was no random act.
Stacey Brooks was home when police say someone killed her neighbor on Wednesday morning.
"We were right here and we didn't hear anything, we didn't see anyone," Brooks said. "It's really strange."
Brooks said her neighbor was vibrant and friendly.
"As she passes by, she always says hello," she said. "Very nice lady. I feel so bad and I can't believe it happened right next door to me."
"It was a very, very senseless, sadistic murder," Chitwood said.
He described a gruesome scene left at Benson's apartment in the New Orleans Apartments.
"The apartment itself was in total disarray," Chitwood said. "Blood on the walls, feces on the floor, some writing on the walls."
Chitwood said Benson was beaten, stabbed several times in the head and face and was possibly strangled.
Benson's nude body was in the bathtub with the shower running. Chitwood said no signs of forced entry and a locked front door indicate Benson knew her killer.
"This was a very, very violent scene," he said. "It was a senseless killing. This guy meant to hurt her, meant to embarrass her, meant to harm her and he did."
Thursday afternoon, detectives began processing Benson's car, which had been missing.
Her employer, SIG Combibloc in Chester released this statement:
"We are grieving the loss of a friend and colleague and we're working with the authorities to see what happened and also trying to support her family in this time," Tim Kirchen, Vice President of business development.
CBS3 spoke to Benson's niece on the phone. She said the family is grieving and trying to process what happened and would have no further comment at this time.
An autopsy should be complete within the next day or so.
Superintendent Chitwood is asking anyone with information to call police.
