Described by friends as a “caring and loving woman,” 72-year-old Mary Miller was stabbed to death inside her home early yesterday morning allegedly by a neighbor with a history of mental health issues.
Police said a young girl was home at the time of the incident and called emergency personnel to the scene. While authorities would not say how the girl was related to the woman, friends said the girl was her 8-year-old granddaughter. She was unhurt.
“We’re distraught,” said Mishella Etienne, of the Grace Church of All Nations in Dorchester. Etienne said Miller was a member of the church.
Tu Nguyen, 28, pleaded not guilty to the murder charge yesterday. He was ordered held for 20 days and to undergo a mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.
Authorities allege that Nguyen broke in to Miller’s Dorchester home just before 2 a.m. through a front window, which he smashed, and then stabbed her multiple times.
According to court documents, police obtained video that allegedly shows Nguyen entering and exiting the scene during the time of the incident.
During an interview with police, Nguyen said he was in his house all night and never left, according to the documents.
Court documents also showed that Nguyen had been admitted to a hospital for mental health evaluations when he faced charges for other crimes.
He is due back in court March 9.
