Mother found face down in Baytown apartment
BAYTOWN (KTRK) -- Baytown police are investigating after a woman was found murdered in her apartment Sunday night.
The woman's husband, who was out of town, hadn't been able to get in touch with his wife, 50-year-old Nataliya Shal. He grew worried and called police.
"The husband of the deceased called while he was at work out of the states and he was concerned about his wife. She hadn't answered the phone in several hours. Officers arrived there, they noticed a white female lying face down on the ground," said detective Edgar Elizondo with Baytown police.
Investigators would not say how the woman died or if there was a weapon found near her body. A release from Baytown police says the apartment was locked and officers had to make a forced entry into the apartment.
They would not comment on whether or not any suspects had been arrested.
Sheila Shelton says she was friends with the woman killed. She says the woman goes by Victoria, though she didn't know her last name.
"She's very sweet, she's very loving," Shelton said.
Shelton says Victoria moved to Baytown from Russia about a year ago. She used to be a teacher, but hasn't worked since moving to Texas.
"Her and I would have talks and laugh and she loves pets," Shelton said, fighting back tears.
Another neighbor tells ABC 13 he last saw Victoria around 2 PM Sunday outside her apartment. Several people say she never locked her doors. No one we spoke with heard screaming or any kind of struggle Sunday night.
"They took a very good woman to soon and I hope this person is caught," Shelton said.
Police say the mother, in her early 50s, lives in that apartment with her husband. Her son, in his late 20s, lives in Europe.
If you have any information, call Baytown Crimestoppers at 281-427-TIPS (8477) / or text keyword "Baytown" plus the tip to 274637 (CRIMES).
We're following this story on Eyewitness News. Watch for updates on air, online and on our mobile news app.
Keep checking back on this page to get real-time updates as this story unfolds. To get alerts for breaking news, download the abc13 news app for iPhone or Android. You can also get breaking news alerts sent to you by email.
