Tuesday, April 22 - Clues Sought In West OC Murder

WEST OCEAN CITY - Local law enforcement agencies today are still seeking answers after the discovery of the body of a local woman found dead in her West Ocean City home believed to the victim of a homicide.

Shortly after noon on Monday, the Maryland State Police Berlin barrack received a 911 call for what was believed to be an injured person at a residence in the Mystic Harbor community in West Ocean City. Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the residence on Deep Channel Drive and found the victim, later identified as Cecilia D. Parker, 56, lying on the floor unconscious. Troopers and fire department personnel soon determined Parker was deceased.

The investigation began when a co-worker of Parker's went to her home to check on her when she did not show up for work on Monday morning. When the co-worker arrived at the home, he determined the victim was in need of medical assistance. When investigators arrived, they saw what appeared to be injuries on the victim's body although the cause and manner of death have not been determined at this time. Sources say the victim suffered numerous stab wounds and that authorities have in custody a suspect.

The victim's body has been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Baltimore for a complete autopsy. Detectives today are continuing their investigation into the apparent murder with assistance of the Maryland State Police Homocide Unit and allied local law enforcement agencies. Anyone with information about the crime is urged to contact MSP investigators immediately at 410-641-3101.

For more on this story, and others, see The Dispatch print edition and website on Friday morning.