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Woman Found Bludgeoned To Death With Hammer In Bronx Home

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Neighbors in the Norwood section of the Bronx were in shock Wednesday, after a woman was found beaten to death with a hammer.

As CBS 2's John Slattery reported, neighbors at 211th Street and Perry Avenue are not used to seeing a van from the New York City Medical Examiner's Office picking up a body on their block. But on Wednesday, that is exactly what happened.

Magda Dagostino, a 66-year-old mother of two adult children, was found bludgeoned to death with a hammer in her bed Tuesday night.

"She was very a very nice lady, a widow. She had a bad heart condition," said Helen Ginty. "Very upsetting to have it so close to me; just someone I knew very well."

Dagostino lived with her 39-year-old son, police said. A sister in Florida last talked to her on Tuesday, and a grandson called 911 asking police to make a wellness check.

"A woman has not been seen for a period of time," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.

Neighbors said the living room window, which Dagostino never opened, was seen open for several days. That was unusual for a woman who was very cautious.

"She would not open the door to you unless she knew you," Ginty said. "And even though I've known her for like 30 years, she would not open the door for me unless I identified myself a few times."

A hammer covered with blood was recovered. Police continued Wednesday to investigate who killed Dagostino in an apartment where there was apparently no forced entry.

Neighbors said Dagostino's son, who had been involved in custody disputes, moved in with his mother about five months ago. He was being questioned by police Wednesday.

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