APD searching for person of interest after 77-year-old woman found stabbed, dead in Buckhead garage

ATLANTA — Atlanta police have confirmed with Channel 2 Action News that a woman was killed at her Buckhead home on Saturday.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office identified the victim as 77-year-old Eleanor Bowles.

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According to police, Bowles was found dead in the garage of her home in a gated community on Paces West Terrace, around 5:30 p.m.

Atlanta police plan to hold a newser at 7 p.m. Monday about the case. Channel 2′s Michael Seiden has learned that police plan to announce a significant development in the case.

We’ll stream the press conference LIVE on all of your streaming devices at 7 p.m. on WSB Now.

Police believe the murder was the result of a robbery in progress being interrupted.

Police said they believe around 11:30 a.m. Bowles was inside her home when a person attempted to steal her 2021 Lexus RS350. Police said Bowles then went into her garage where she was stabbed and killed.

Police told Channel 2 Action News they are currently searching for a person on interest who was seen on surveillance video from a neighbors home, entering Bowles’ car.

The car was tracked and recovered in DeKalb County.

“The son came home to visit his mom for the holidays,” Deputy Chief Charles Hampton said. “This is not a way that a family should have to spend their holiday season, mourning and grieving the death of a loved one.”

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Buckhead resident Chip Matthews and his wife said they are now taking new safety measures after the death of their neighbor.

“My wife knew her very well. I had met her a few times. She was in the same club as my wife. They spent time together,” Matthews said.

Matthew said that last night, when he went to take the garbage out, his wife turned off the alarm and said she wanted to him to take the gun with him.

“You know, you’re a little on edge, you’re very on edge,” Matthews said. “Everybody is nervous about the crime. This guy is still on the loose.”

On Sunday night, friends and neighbors gathered in front of Bowles home for a candlelit vigil. They remembered her as a caring and friendly woman who loved animals and her family.

Her son, David McBride, expressed his gratitude for the community’s support.

“We’ve been really overwhelmed by the support,” McBride said. “I’m just looking around here at this crowd, and it makes us feel very good about the community that was around my mother.”

A $10,000 reward is being offered for anyone who can provide information in this investigation.

Friends and family members of Bowles have also set up a GoFundMe, all funds raised are going directly to the Atlanta Humane Society, an organization she loved.

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