DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Douglasville police have confirmed an arrest has been made in the death of a 75-year-old woman found dead and bound in her apartment last week.
Relatives found the body of Florene Duke inside her Countryside Manor apartment on Selman Drive on Nov. 10. Police say Duke, who suffered from dementia, died of positional asphyxiation. Police announced on Tuesday the arrest of Odes Dupree, 53.
"We have physical evidence that put him at the scene," said Douglas County Police Chief Chris Womack.
Lynn and Terry Harris said they were fearful of venturing outside following the murder of their neighbor and friend.
"She was the sweetest lady," said Lynn Harris.
The police chief said the accused killer has a history of drug abuse and saw the elderly woman as a soft target for robbery.
"She was very open in her home. She would let people come in. We have reason to believe he already knew what he was looking for," Womack said.
Relatives say two televisions appeared to have been taken from the grandmother's apartment during the deadly robbery. The Harris couple said they recognized the suspect arrested in the case.
"I don't believe he lived in the apartment complex, but I've seen him a couple of times walking through here," said Terry Harris.
Womack said solid grassroots police work led them to the accused killer.
"This was a terrible, malicious crime that was committed against one of the most defenseless elderly citizens in our community," Womack said.
WSBTV
