SUN CITY WEST, AZ — Court documents are providing additional information in the murder of a 76-year-old woman who was found dead inside her Sun City West home on May 22.
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez said detectives arrested 58-year-old Julie Lingin connection with the murder.
Court filings describe how a door-to-door salesman contacted the sheriff's office's Sun City West posse around 5 p.m. after he had gone to Sheila Severeid's home and spoken to a woman at the house who told him there was a dead body inside.
Responding posse members observed a body lying on the floor of the home and spoke with Ling, who said she believed Severeid was dead.
Severeid was found with, "a rubber band wrapped around her face and neck," according to deputies.
Ling reportedly told detectives that Severeid was "a very bad lady, she killed Jon Benet Ramsey and other children." She also allegedly called Severeid a "terrorist."
Maricopa County Sheriff's officials say at this point, investigators believe Ling was homeless and had lived with the victim at some point. Neighbors say some of them had seen Ling living in a wash near their neighborhood.
Severeid was described as a big-hearted woman with a soft spot for the homeless. She always wanted to help others in need. "I know she opened her home to a homeless lady. I'm saddened, but not surprised because evil people take advantage of people who assist them," said Mark Fairall, a friend who knew Severeid from church.
His wife showed ABC15 a necklace Severeid had gifted her for Christmas with beads reflecting the colors that represented elder abuse awareness and prevention.
Ling was charged with first-degree murder on Tuesday.
