Woman slain, body hidden under Christmas presents

A 67-year-old Florida woman was found beaten, strangled and hidden beneath the Christmas presents in her home, and authorities have charged a younger woman who had been befriended by the victim.

Patty Michelle White, 40, of South Carolina, was jailed on on fugitive charges and expected to be extradited on Tuesday to Florida to face murder charges, authorities said.

The body of Michele O'Dowd of Florida was discovered Friday by her twin brother, Phil Axt, who had gone to check on her at her home in a gated community after O'Dowd failed to show up for work.

The door was open and O'Dowd's house had been ransacked, Mr Axt said. Chairs and tables were turned upside down. Her car and dog were still at home. 'I knew this wasn't going to pretty,' he said. A foot was sticking out of a big pile of Christmas gifts, Mr Axt said. Buried under the gifts was his sister's cold body, her bloody face covered with a towel.

ORIGINAL SOURCE

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