Sheriff: Woman, 84, strangled to death at senior facility

METAIRIE, La. (AP) - An 84-year-old woman was apparently strangled to death at a senior facility where she lived in suburban New Orleans.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand says deputies were called just before 8 p.m. Tuesday for what initially appeared to be a death by natural causes. However, Normand says in a news release that an autopsy Wednesday showed that Pauline Ballon died from strangulation.

Sheriff’s spokesman Glen Boyd says that began a homicide investigation.

Authorities say a security guard had found Ballon unresponsive, face down on her bed.

She was a resident of a senior facility in Metairie.

Normand says there are no motives or suspects at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 504-364-5300.