Woman found murdered in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A kind woman who loved her dog. That's how neighbors describe the woman whose home turned into a crime scene early Thursday morning. 

Police detectives and crime scene investigators surrounded a home in the 6600 block of 13th Street after getting a call about an alleged assault victim. Patricia L. James, 56, was found dead inside.

"The cause of death has not been determined yet, but it is being investigated as a homicide," said Kansas City Police spokesperson Stacey Graves.

John Martinez grew up with James' son. He remembers hanging out at the home as an teen.

"She never really bothers nobody. She walks her dog, and if she sees you, she'll stop and talk to you," he said. "She's the type of person if she sees you and stops and talks, you're going to be there for awhile because she loves to tell stories."

Martinez said both James and her dog were very protective. He has no clue as to who would want to hurt her.

"She had to let him in, she's the type of person if you come in her house and she don't know you, she always had a weapon," Martinez said.

No arrests have been made in the case.