Woman, 79, found dead in her apartment, is Hamilton's 5th homicide victim for the year

A 79-year-old woman found dead in her apartment by family members Saturday is the victim of a homicide, say Hamilton police.

Gladys Little, 79, is Hamilton's fifth homicide victim for the year. Family members went to her apartment at 187 Park Street South Saturday afternoonto check on her after she missed her daily check-in call with her son.

Police said that upon finding Little, the family members immediately called 911. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said based on "the circumstances found at the scene," a post-mortem was ordered to determine the cause of death.

"The apartment was secured and held by police pending the results of the autopsy. The scene was processed by the Forensic Service Branch to assist the coroner with their death investigation," the release states.

The post-mortem, which was conducted on Wednesday at the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service in Toronto, was concluded that afternoon and revealed that Little was the victim of a homicide. Police did not reveal the cause of death.

It is unknown if Little knew her killer or answered the door to them.

Police are reminding residents to keep their doors locked and ensure they are taking appropriate steps when answering their doors.

Major Crime Unit in charge of investigation

The Major Crime Unit is in charge of the investigation.

Police said immediately after Little's body was discovered, they conducted an initial canvass with the victim's neighbours in addition to the apartments on the floors immediately above and below, during which members of the Forensic Video Unit obtained CCTV footage from the building.

Additionally,a complete canvass of the 20-storey apartment building was undertaken on Wednesday afternoon.

Police are asking anyone from the building who saw or heard any suspicious activity or persons between 1 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday to call the Major Crime Unit at 905-546-3874.

The scene at 187 Park St South is being maintained to allow for further forensic processing.