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Authorities say it does not appear that the woman's home was broken in to.
The body of 77-year-old Amada Simbala was found Wednesday afternoon in her home on the 2400 block of South Doble Street in Carson.
Authorities say that two adult male boarders lived in the home with her. It was one of those boarders who discovered her body in an upstairs bedroom.
Sheriff's deputies say there was evidence of blunt force trauma on Simbala's body, but there is no sign of forced entry into her home. Her home wasn't ransacked and nothing appears to have been stolen.
Neighbors say their neighborhood used to be a lot safer, but things have changed over the last few years.
"My neighbor's house and my car got broken into, and a few other people. So, it's kind of creepy living around here right now," said Robert Bruce, a neighbor.
Authorities are asking for the public's help in the murder investigation. If you have any information, you're asked to contact L.A. County sheriff's homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500.
Authorities say this appears to be a random and isolated act. They're hoping to get Simbala's exact cause of death later Thursday when an autopsy is performed.
