AUGUSTA — Officials say an autopsy found that an 81-year-old woman who was attacked in the middle of the night in her apartment in western Maine died of stab wounds.

The Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy today on the body of Grace Burton, who died Tuesday morning at a Lewiston hospital after an unidentified man broke into her home at the Margaret Chase Smith Apartments in Farmington and assaulted her.

Spokeswoman Brenda Kielty of the Attorney General’s Office says the case is ruled a homicide.

Maine State Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect. Investigators believe the assailant suffered injuries to his hands and fingers in the attack.

Burton was able to call 911 shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday to report the attack.


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