Grandmother Slain In South Boston

BOSTON — Authorities are investigating the fatal stabbing of a grandmother, 67, that "has shaken a safe South Boston neighborhood," as the AP says.

Boston Police discovered the victim inside her residence at 737 East 7th St. just after 10 a.m. yesterday. State Sen. Jack Hart, who represents South Boston, has identified the woman as Barbara Coyne.

While a police spokeswoman cautioned that any theory about the killing “is purely speculative,” the Herald reports that the scene had "signs of a possible break-in." "Investigators were photographing a street-level, open window at Coyne’s apartment," the Herald says.

There have been no arrests in the slaying.

"A death like that in any neighborhood in the city is difficult," Hart told the Globe, "but people are somewhat shocked here because we don’t see these kinds of things in that part of town."

The slaying is the city's ninth homicide this year, and the first in South Boston in 2012. Coyne is the third female homicide victim of 2012, and the second victim above 60 years old.