A Massachusetts woman has been charged with murdering her friend and former landlord with a hammer after she learned she had swindled her $40,000 by forging her checks, officials allege.
Shiu Feng Ke, 43, was arrested after Leonard Gerber, 65, was beaten to death at his Newton home outside Boston on Wednesday.
According to Middlesex District Attorney Marion Ryan, the victim’s body was found wrapped in a curtain and buried under construction materials. Investigators believe he may have been there for more than a day.
Garber’s family reported her missing on Monday, but police say they did not find her body during a welfare check that day.
When the victim’s family reiterated their concerns, the officers returned on Wednesday and made a serious search.
In the midst of the investigation, police learn that Garber and Xiu were spending time together – and that she was allegedly forging checks from her former landlord’s accounts.
When Gerber learned that Xiu stole more than $40,000 from him, he confronted her and hit her badly, officials said.
Police reviewed surveillance footage from Garber’s home and saw an Asian woman, later identified as Shiu, reportedly entering the home days before her body was discovered.
Garber’s autopsy report is pending; Authorities believe he died of blunt force trauma.