BRADENTON, FL – According to reports, Helen Van Orden, 79, a former Norwich resident, was killed in her home on the morning of Friday, May 2 at her current residence in Burgundy Condominiums on 46 Ave Terrace West, Bradenton, Fl.
Van Orden had lived in Norwich and Towanda, Pa. before relocating to Manatee County with her now-late husband, William. She worked as a part-time housekeeper during the day and her son, Charles Van Orden, would check on her in the evenings.
According to Manatee County Sheriff's Office spokesman Dave Bristow, she was very well liked in the community and very active.
Bristow explained that Charles Van Orden had spoken to her on the phone on Thursday, but was not able to reach her on Friday. Concerned, he went to her home that evening.
“He (Van Orden) went to check on her and found her deceased,” said Bristow.
He immediately called 911 and Helen Van Orden was determined to be deceased when paramedics arrived on the scene. Detectives from Manatee County Sheriff’s Office have reason to believe Helen Van Orden was killed when a man entered her home to rob her.
“We think that she was out for a short time and came back in when he was in the apartment,” said Bristow. An autopsy release states that Helen Van Orden died of “homicidal violence,” but no other details about her death have been released.
Richard Wayne Matthews, 32, homeless, was arrested for allegedly killing Helen Van Orden and then stealing a purse, credit cards and a 2000 silver Dodge Strata, states the Bradenton Herald.
