Springfield Murders Remain a Mystery

Three years ago, the Springfield community was rocked by the murder of one of their long time neighbors.

In November 2006, just after 11 a.m., 74-year-old Marion Newman was found dead in her home.

"We were good friends. We went through a lot together," says Newman's neighbor.

She had known her for 30 years.

"I couldn't believe it," the neighbor told FOX 5. "It's something you just don't comprehend."

Investigators say they died from trauma to the upper body.

"I was scared to go out after dark scared to open the door," she said.

Since then, this community has been on edge, not knowing who committed this crime or why.

"It scares me. My son I can't let him outside by himself. It freaks me out," says another neighbor.

About four months earlier, there was another murder with striking similarities. On August 14 at 6 p.m., 72-year-old Marian Marshall was found dead in her home on Bostwick Drive in Springfield.

Two women with the same first name, both living alone in Springfield, both killed by blunt force trauma.

So far, no one has been punished for either of the crimes. That's a thought that's unsettling to say the least to the people who live here.

"You don't know who that guy is, he could be living next door to me. He could be walking up and down the street. Who knows," one of the neighbors told FOX 5.

Detectives have determined that both murders were committed by the same suspect.