Search warrant: Elderly woman found dead in her home with 12 apparent stab wounds

Search warrant: Elderly woman found dead in her home with 12 apparent stab wounds Emily Baude KSTP Law enforcement is investigating after a 70-year-old woman was found stabbed to death in her Coon Rapids home this week. According to a search warrant, police received a call from a realtor on Tuesday, who reported she was at a home on the 900 block of 88th Avenue for a roof inspection when she saw a woman inside, identified as 70-year-old Katherine Paula Knauer, slumped over her mobility scooter and apparently bleeding. The realtor told police several doors to the house were “unsecured,” the search warrant says. Court records go on to say when police entered the home, they found Knauer in the kitchen with 12 apparent chest stab wounds, including three to the heart. The realtor told police Knauer lived alone in the home, and they had been texting the night before. Investigators learned from neighbors that Knauer had been saving money to hire someone to rake the leaves in her yard, the search warrant states, adding that Knauer’s brother also told police he had recently gone with her to withdraw $500 from the bank for that purpose. During a search of the house, police found a small amount of cash — less than $30 — and prescription medication for Knauer with a number of pills missing, court records say. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS first inquired about this death investigation on Tuesday; the next day, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office said they were investigating a “medical emergency.” After obtaining the search warrant, we reached out to the sheriff’s office on Friday, and they said they can’t share more information to “protect the integrity of the investigation.” The sheriff’s office said there is no known threat to the public. We’ve followed up with the sheriff’s office to ask why they first said the death was a medical emergency and if any arrests have been made. We’re waiting to hear back. This is a developing story; check back for updates.