"She was a nice lady," next door neighbor Greg Isaac said.
For 15 years, Issac had looked after Ellen, making sure she was okay and making sure she had enough to eat.
"On Christmas and Thanksgiving, all the holidays, we would bring her a plate of food," he said.
Neighbors were shocked to hear that Ellen was the victim of a homicide.
"It's kind of freaky," neighbor Rene Bailey. "If it's a random thing, it's even more scary. I mean who would do something like that?"
Greg knew Ellen the best, and he says he doesn't have a clue.
"No large amounts of money in there," he said. "That's why it makes no sense to me."
Police found Ellen's home in disarray. There was reportedly papers, garbage and clutter everywhere.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan said Ellen died from blunt force trauma. It was a blow that not only killed the quiet woman, but one that has rattled everyone who lives here.
"For the first time in years, our doors are locked," Greg said.
Security is tighter, neighbors are scared and Greg still can't believe Ellen is gone.
"She is with me," he said. "I can't get her out of my mind. I will miss her."
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