Family wants answers after mother's stabbing, murder in Durham park
The family of a woman who was stabbed and killed in Hillside Park Tuesday night is shocked, horrified and want answers.
Posted — UpdatedAlicia Elder, a social worker who fostered and cared for children and her family, was found dead Tuesday night.
Police said she was stabbed to death.
The man accused of her murder made his first court appearance Friday.
Andrea Elder-Spencer said she is in disbelief that her mother was killed.
"We're devastated and can't believe this happened here; she did not deserve it." Elder-Spencer said. "She is an angel now."
Michael Person is charged with her murder.
Prosecutors say he has 19 prior convictions, six of them related to violent crimes.
Police said the stabbing was not a random act, but they will not confirm the connection between Person and Elder.
Elder's family said they don't know why the tragedy happened.
Elder-Spencer said there is a long list of people affected by her mother's death, and she describes the murder as a nightmare.
Prosecutors have not said whether they will pursue the death penalty.
Person is in jail without bond. He will appear again in court later in February.
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