Updated 11:15 AM Tuesday
Kirk's apartment building at 610 Danforth St.
SYRACUSE --
As the Sheriff's Department helicopter circled overhead taking pictures, members of the Syracuse Police Department's Crime Investigation Unit walked down Carbon Street measuring distances to a big green 'X' they had painted on the road. They continued to another 'X' in a snowbank, around the corner on Kirkpatrick Street. K-9s were also called in to help.
Lt. Joe Cecile says 51-year-old Karen Kirk was asphyxiated, and they know more details on her death but are not releasing them yet. Kirk was found dead in her apartment at 610 Danforth Street on Friday by a friend who was bringing her a plate of Christmas dinner. Police say that Kirk had not been close with her own family in 20 years.
Lt. Cecile says they know Kirk had talked with someone on Christmas Day, so the death had happened within 24 hours. Kirk was found face down on her bed.
Motive is the big question in the investigation, according to Cecile, who says they're also looking for help from the public in tracing the victim's activities and contacts before her death. Anyone who can help is asked to call Syracuse Police at 442-5222.
