It is a town that has not had to deal with murder - until the 2009 holiday season.

Grace Kennedy, 91, was the first of 11 siblings to graduate from college and a World War II veteran. She was a devout Catholic who had dozens of Virgin Mary statues.

Two days before Christmas, Bryan police found Kennedy beaten to death.

"We don't think this is a random killing where somebody just came down, got into the house, and killed her," said Bryan Police Chief Jeff Arnold.

Arnold said Kennedy's belongings were moved around and the doors to the home locked. Nothing was taken, and the murder weapon was the only solid clue left behind.

Kennedy suffered from severe arthritis, but police believe she fought back.

"It was a beating, but she had severe lacerations to her face," said Arnold. "She did have defense wounds to her arms, so she did try to defend herself."

Mary Flynn volunteered with Grace at Community Hospitals and Wellness Center where she logged nearly 20,000 hours. She wiped tears away as she spoke of her  friend.

"Because her family lived away, we were her family up here," explained Flynn.

Grace's son Bob Kennedy was one of her three sons and lives in Wayne County. He said his mom was abrupt, outspoken, and infuriated people from time to time, but he can't think of anyone who would end her life like this.

"You always knew where you stood with her and so if she didn't like something that somebody was doing, they knew about it," said Kennedy.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation has worked with family and police to try and match the murder weapon and blood left at the scene in  Grace's bedroom with a suspect.

Police have determined that there was no rape, no robbery and to this point, no motive.

"That's why it's a mystery. It's up to us to unravel that mystery," said Arnold.

Two detectives and the police chief have made this case their priority.

Grace's family and friends share the chief's frustration, and try to go on in their lives without Grace.

"I don't know if I'll ever be able to fully grieve her death or celebrate her life," said her son.

"Her stories, we'll always remember Grace. We'll always remember Grace," said Flynn.

©2010 by ONN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.