A 76-year-old north Minneapolis woman found dead in her bedroom this week died from an apparent beating, authorities said Friday.
Lois Swenson, who championed peace and turned aside advice to leave her neighborhood, suffered "multiple blunt force injuries," the Hennepin County medical examiner's office said in language most often associated with a beating.
Swenson's body was found in her bedroom after friends reported not hearing from her.
She was last seen about a week ago. When police were called, a firefighter climbed a ladder to an upstairs bedroom window and saw her inside. She had been dead for some time.
Minneapolis police Sgt. Steve McCarty said police don't believe the slaying was random, but are still seeking tips and information. "There are some pretty strong leads," he said.
Neighbors Tom and Pam Cook said they don't believe the homicide was random. Tom Cook said the door to Swenson's house was locked when police arrived, indicating there was no break-in.
Swenson had taught sixth grade in Robbinsdale. She immersed herself in social justice, peace and environmental issues. In an interview in Minnesota Women's Press, she said: "My college friends, they have to chuckle now, about when I had to have my purse and gloves and hat and shoes all matching, because that was the thing to do at the time. But now, after having lived in places where people don't have shoes, the color doesn't seem nearly as important."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Minneapolis Police Department's Tip Line at 612-692-TIPS (8477).
