Deputies investigating murder of 80 year old woman

UPDATE (12:22 p.m.): Authorities have confirmed that Brown’s murder was the result of a robbery. Her car is believed to have been stolen following the incident, and was located around 7 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Charlotte Avenue and First Street, about three miles from her home on Polly Lane.

ORIGINAL POST: The Lee County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the murder of an 80 year old woman after she was found in her home on Polly Lane Sunday evening.

Deputies responded to 143 Polly Lane – a dirt road off Lower Moncure Road just outside the Sanford city limits – a few minutes before 8 p.m. Sunday after Norma Smith Brown was found dead of unspecified causes.

Authorities didn’t provide any further information other than to say they were treating the case as a homicide, but deputies could be seen canvassing the neighborhood Monday morning. We will provide any further updates as they come in.

Authorities ask that anyone with information call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (919) 775-5531, or the tip line at (919) 718-4477.