Sheriff: Elderly woman fatally stabbed by roommate at assisted living home in Louisburg

LOUISBURG (WTVD) -- A Louisburg assisted-living facility, where families entrust to care for their loved ones, is now at the center of a murder investigation. A resident was stabbed to death Tuesday morning at The Jordan. The victim's roommate is now behind bars.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office arrested 57-year-old Patricia Marrow after they say she killed 88-year-old Elouise Collier.

Authorities said the stabbing happened about 2:50 a.m. on E.F. Cottrell Road.

The Sheriff's Office says an employee made the discovery. Chief Terry Wright says worker heard screaming, raced to one of the rooms, and found Collier lying on the floor and Marrow standing over her.

The incident is shocking folks who live nearby.

"That's kind of outrageous," Louisburg resident Larry Hazelwood said. "It's a very tragic thing.

Investigators are looking into what led to the stabbing.

The facility would not comment on the murder investigation that is underway or answer questions about resident oversight.

The State Department of Health and Human Services is in charge of monitoring the facility. According to information posted on the agency's website, The Jordan is in good standing with the state. There have not been any penalties in the last three years and since 2010, they've received four stars.

DHHS would not tell ABC11 if it is launching an internal investigation. A spokesperson says the agency is aware of the incident and is working with the facility and local Department of Social Services.

"To know something like that happen right down the road is kind of frightening," Hazelwood said. "It's kind of a concerning thing, especially if there's a lot of older people."

Marrow is being held in a women's prison in Raleigh with no bond.

A date has not been set for her first appearance before a judge.