The killing of Lucille Wilson, 84, has plunged sections of Ensom City, St Catherine, into sadness.

Wilson, from Eider Road, was last seen alive about 10 p.m. last Saturday. However, about 2 a.m. yesterday, residents heard strange sounds coming from her home. They later found her with several stab wounds. She lived alone.

When The STAR visited the area, a small crowd converged outside her home. Residents said in recent times Wilson had become senile and was raped in January.

"Some time ago, har son tek har abroad, but me hear sey she became ill, returned home and been living by herself since," Jenny Myrie, a resident, said.

Others fear the area might be taken over by killers. "A 30-odd years mi live around 'ere, an nothing like dis neva happen. Bwoy, it look serious," said a bystander as others agreed.

Police said Wilson was stabbed three times in the chest and may have known her attacker. The lawmen believe she might have been sexually molested during the attack.