Savannah octogenarian slain in home robbery

Sept. 9– Authorities are investigating the death of an 80-year-old Savannah woman Wednesday as a  homicide committed during a robbery.

Just before 10 p.m, relatives found Otylier Callens lying on the living room floor of her brick home at 80 Ryan St. A piece of plastic material was "wrapped around the facial area, which was indicative of foul play, no doubt," said Savannah police chief Donald Derr.

Callens’ purse had been emptied, the contents thrown about the floor.

Derr said the relatives said they had gone to check on Callens after being unable to reach her by phone earlier in the day.

Callens had been out with a friend, who told investigators he had dropped her off at home shortly before 6 that evening, he said.

Talks with nearby neighbors have not led to any definite clues.

 

"No one could really say they saw something," Derr said, but "one person said he may have heard something."

An autopsy in such instances is routine and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the case, he said.

This is not the first time Callens has been victimized.

On Aug. 10, 2009, Callens reported to police that while she was doing some yard work outside the residence, someone entered an unlocked door and stole her purse containing $900.