CULLMAN —
An elderly woman injured in an attack at her home in December died Sunday afternoon. Following the results of her autopsy the case has been reclassified as a homicide, and her alleged attacker could potentially face a murder charge.
Authorities received the preliminary autopsy findings for 87 year-old Helen Mayo late Monday evening, which found that her death was caused by injuries from the attack. Mayo was attacked in her home near Cullman High School in early December, and died at UAB Hospital Sunday afternoon. After being admitted in the wake of the assault, she spent the final month of her life being treated for severe facial injuries.
Just days after the attack took place, police arrested Emmett L. Davis, 52, of Arab and charged him with first degree assault in the case. Authorities say Davis knew the victim and had done some maintenance work for her in the past.
Cullman Police Assistant Chief Craig Green said investigators will now work with the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office to determine if Davis could face further charges.
“Essentially they have to make sure she didn’t already have an underlying illness, as the autopsy will show if it was an existing health issue, or if the cause stemmed from the attack,” Green said. “We are currently working with the district attorney’s office on the proper criminal charges.”
The final autopsy report could take several months to be completed, but Green said investigators believe they have enough information from the preliminary assessment to move forward with additional charges on Davis.
Green offered his condolences to Mayo’s family and friends, and promised the department would do everything within its power to ensure the alleged suspect is punished to the fullest extent of the law.
“The entire police department is praying for the family of Ms. Mayo and those who lived around her and knew her,” he said. “We understand it is difficult, but we’re doing all we can to make sure the person who committed this crime is in jail where they need to be. We’ll do whatever we can to support the community and her neighborhood. Their loss is on our mind.”
Davis is still being held at the Cullman County Detention Center.
Funeral services for Mayo will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Moss-Service Funeral Home Chapel, in Cullman, with visitation from noon to 2 p.m. Click here for full obituary.
Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
Top News
Related Photos
-
Helen June Mayo
Discussion
Death of elderly woman injured in Dec. attack ruled a homicide
Suspect in case could face additional charges
- Top News
-
-
Tennessee native talks downtown, business growth
After managing a successful chain of grocery stores, Andy Marshall sold it all and decided to focus on just one restaurant/grocery shop — Puckett’s, in the small Tennessee town of Leiper’s Fork — to make it the coolest place he could possibly imagine.
-
Cullman man arrested in relation to 8 previous drug charges
A Cullman man was arrested after failing to appear and comply following eight drug-related charges from 2011-2012.
-
Arrests, incidents reports for Thursday, May 23, 2013
Here is a look at the incidents that were reported to the Cullman City Police Department for Thursday:
-
Extra troopers, less road in Ala. during weekend
Motorists traveling through Alabama during the long Memorial Day weekend will see extra state troopers on the road.
-
Memorial Day event planned for public
With blue skies above and the sun beaming down, Army Iraqi Enduring Freedom veteran Randy McGraw bent over and placed an American flag at the grave of a deceased veteran Thursday.
-
The Times' Morning Update for Friday, May 24, 2013
Good morning, readers, this is what's happening in your county today:
-
3 arrested in Cullman for failure to comply with court orders
Cullman County Sheriff’s deputies arrested three people after not complying with drug court orders following previous drug arrests.
-
Arrests, incidents reports for Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Here is a look at the incidents that were reported to the Cullman City Police Department for Wednesday:
-
Chamber seeking full-time tourism director; creates new board
The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce is ramping up its focus on tourism, and is now seeking a full-time tourism director. The agency has also created a new, 11-person tourism board to focus solely on promoting travel and tourism in the area.
Plans to add a full-time tourism director have been in the works for almost a year, in cooperation with the City of Cullman and Cullman County Commission. -
Unsheltered International leads local effort to help storm victims
From their hometown of Cullman, to Joplin, Mo., and even Staten Island, NY., Dr. Travis Sharpe and members of Unsheltered International have provided hot meals, shelter, and delivered supplies to those in need after a natural disaster.
- More Top News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
