'Good Christian lady': Loved ones remember 80-year-old murdered in Sanford

Kenneth Earl Allen, 37, was charged with the murder of Norma Smith Brown and with burglary, robbery with a dangerous weapon, larceny of a vehicle and possessing stolen goods. He was being held without bond in the Lee County jail.

Brown was found dead in her home, at 143 Polly Lane, on Sunday night. Her 2010 Nissan Rogue was found abandoned outside a Sanford day care.

Captain Jeff Johnson said her attacker stole her purse, phone and walking cane

Brown, whose husband lives in a nursing home, celebrated her 80th birthday just before Christmas. Her sister-in-law who lives next door described Brown as a "good Christian lady," and a longtime member of Central Baptist Temple.

Authorities find car of 80-year-old woman killed in Sanford home

In a statement, Chief Detective Jeff Johnson said investigators received a tip that led them to evidence and to Allen and that he was "strung out on drugs." The sheriff's office will give a reward to the tipster, he said.

Allen and Brown did not know each other, Johnson said.

Allen was released from prison last August after serving more than 12 years on charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injuries, breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering, according to state Department of Public Safety records. His criminal record dates to 2001, records show.