An 86-year-old Rose Avenue woman was fatally stabbed over the weekend, and police are looking at her husband as a "person of interest."
Jagir Johal was fatally stabbed in her home in the 2600 block of Rose sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning. The discovery of the woman's body was made after 10 a.m. Sunday by the couple's son-in-law who was concerned when he couldn't get an answer by telephone.
The woman's body had sustained multiple stab wounds and was found in the living room next to the kitchen. The son-in-law discovered Piara Johal, 85, lying on his bed with a stab wound in his hand. Police questioned Mr. Johal briefly and found him dazed and claimed that he didn't know about the attack. He was later taken to Memorial Medical Center for treatment of shortness of breath and chest pains.
"He did make some statements and we're checking them out," said Sgt. Jeff Higginbotham.
During the investigation of the crime scene, police found a bloodied butcher knife in the kitchen. The house showed no signs of forced entry nor was there any evidence of a big struggle, police said.
"It doesn't appear to be a home invasion at this time," said Higginbotham.
"We're still investigating. At this point he's a person of interest. We're still interviewing witnesses. We're still canvassing the area. Nobody that we've talked to has seen anything or heard anything remarkable."
Mr. Johal had recently been hospitalized and had returned home last week. Neighbors told police that the man seemed out of it since returning home.
Neighbors described the Johals as quiet unassuming people who moved into the neighborhood for approximately 25 years. They immigrated to the United States from India approximately 40 years ago. Mrs. Johal inability to speak English cut her off from visiting with neighbors.
The couple has four daughters.
Jagir Johal was fatally stabbed in her home in the 2600 block of Rose sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning. The discovery of the woman's body was made after 10 a.m. Sunday by the couple's son-in-law who was concerned when he couldn't get an answer by telephone.
The woman's body had sustained multiple stab wounds and was found in the living room next to the kitchen. The son-in-law discovered Piara Johal, 85, lying on his bed with a stab wound in his hand. Police questioned Mr. Johal briefly and found him dazed and claimed that he didn't know about the attack. He was later taken to Memorial Medical Center for treatment of shortness of breath and chest pains.
"He did make some statements and we're checking them out," said Sgt. Jeff Higginbotham.
During the investigation of the crime scene, police found a bloodied butcher knife in the kitchen. The house showed no signs of forced entry nor was there any evidence of a big struggle, police said.
"It doesn't appear to be a home invasion at this time," said Higginbotham.
"We're still investigating. At this point he's a person of interest. We're still interviewing witnesses. We're still canvassing the area. Nobody that we've talked to has seen anything or heard anything remarkable."
Mr. Johal had recently been hospitalized and had returned home last week. Neighbors told police that the man seemed out of it since returning home.
Neighbors described the Johals as quiet unassuming people who moved into the neighborhood for approximately 25 years. They immigrated to the United States from India approximately 40 years ago. Mrs. Johal inability to speak English cut her off from visiting with neighbors.
The couple has four daughters.
