Questions remain in murder case of retired teacher

By Donathan Prater

Published: July 24, 2008

The investigation by the Tuskegee Police Department into the murder of retired Tuskegee educator Mary Hagins continues as residents of the community she called home wonder about the motive in the 79-year-old woman’s death.

Hagins’ badly beaten body was discovered in her home on Old Montgomery Road in Tuskegee last weekend after authorities investigated what was initially thought to be a house fire.

Macon County Coroner Hal E. Bentley said Hagins died of blunt force trauma to the head, most likely caused by a glass object.

The Alabama State Forensics Lab determined that Hagins’ neck had been cut.

“At this point, we’re still interviewing persons and don’t have any timetable for making an arrest,” said Tuskegee Police Chief Lester C. Patrick.

Patrick would not speculate on a motive for the murder. He said there were no signs of forced entry, suggesting that Hagins may have known her killer.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at Greenwood Baptist Church.