A 31-year-old homeless woman has been charged with murder in the death of a Bronx grandmother in 2012, police say.
Pia McQueen has also been charged with burglary and criminal possession of a weapon in the June 16, 2012 killing of 88-year-old Evelyn Shapiro. Police say that McQueen surrendered to police on Monday.
Shapiro, who was known in her Williamsbridge community, was found dead on the floor of her home in the Pelham Parkway Houses on Williamsbridge Road. Police say she had suffered some sort of head trauma and was pronounced dead when EMS workers arrived at the scene.
The 88-year-old was discovered by her daughter, who went to the home when she didn't answer the phone. When Shapiro's daughter got to the home, the door was unlocked and groceries were scattered on the floor.
Police said McQueen is accused of killing Shapiro during a robbery attempt. Detectives had identified her during their investigation, but it's not known what led up to her turning herself into the NYPD.
Shapiro had lived in the Pelham Parkway houses for more than 60 years, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said in a statement shortly after her death that she was "a well-known pillar of her community."
It's not clear if McQueen has an attorney.
