Woman found dead in apparent homicide

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - Mobile Police say a 69-year-old Zoa White was killed in her home just off Springhill Avenue Sunday night. Police confirmed White's home had been broken into and a neighbor said he heard glass shatter.

After White didn't pick up her two grandkids Monday morning and her back door was found open, her daughter called police. Once police got to White's home on the corner of Springhill Avenue and Silverwood, it didn't take long for detectives to find her dead.

"It does appear that it was a break-in, at this point in the investigation. More details will be forthcoming with the investigation, of course. You see detectives, homicide and robbery detectives combing the area and talking to witnesses to see if they possibly heard or saw anything," said Officer Ron Wallace.

White's daughter and two grandchildren described her as a hardworking independent woman. The family said she lived alone and cared for her own lawn and did all of the work on her home herself.

A neighbor and friend said she was friendly and kind, too. Glenn Davidson said he saw White out in the yard every day working, and she always had something sweet to say. Davidson also said he heard glass break late Sunday night.

"We heard the glass breaking. I don't know what time it was exactly, but heard glass breaking and didn't think anything of it. I looked out stepped out on my back porch and looked and didn't hear or see anything unusual, didn't hear anything. I let my dog out the dog didn't bark, it was just nothing," described Davidson.

Detectives took statements from neighbors who may have seen something suspicious, but at this point they have no suspects.

White's family said she worked very closely with Governor Bob Riley. They say she worked on his last two campaigns here in Alabama, planning and hosting several major events.

White was also a retired real estate agent for Dauphin Realty in Mobile.

If you have any information that may help police make an arrest, please give them a call.