UPDATE: Victim in Friday murder in W’burg identified

UPDATE: Williamsburg Police identified the woman killed outside her home Friday morning.

Chief Wayne Bird said the victim is 58-year-old Wanda Richardson.

Police say Richardson was beat, but are awaiting the results of an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.

The autopsy is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort. Investigators will attend the autopsy.

“The medical examiner won’t give any preliminary findings for about two weeks,” Bird said.

Richardson’s nephew, Michael Lee Worley, 40, is being held without bond in the Whitley County Detention Center on one count of murder.

Worley is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Whitley District Court in Williamsburg.

Bird said police are still working to determine a motive in the case.

“We have not yet had a chance to interview the family,” Bird said. “We are trying to give them some space in light of what happened this morning.”

Bird said while there is no history of domestic violence between Worley and Richardson, Worley is well known to police.

“He has an extensive criminal record, mostly on drug-related issues,” Bird said.

A Williamsburg man is in custody for allegedly killing his aunt at a Whitley County residence early Friday morning.

According to Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird, Michael Lee Worley, 40, was taken into custody and charged with the murder of his aunt. The incident happened at 1119 Betty West Road.

Williamsburg Police received a 911 call at about 7:53 a.m. and Lt. Bobby Freeman was the first to respond. When he arrived on scene, he saw a female laying in the yard, deceased. Worley was spotted and attempted to flee, according to authorities, but was quickly apprehended. Initial investigation appear to show the victim was beaten to death, Bird said.

The victim, who has yet to be named, is being sent for an autopsy to determine exact cause of death.

Family members told police that Worley did not live at the residence, but would visit from time to time.

Overnight, Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputies investigated a prowler complaint at the same residence, and made contact with the victim’s mother, but found nothing out of the ordinary.

Worley is being charged with murder and will be lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Bird said Worley has not made a statement to police.

Freeman will be leading the investigation, and will be assisted by Williamsburg Police Det. David Rowe. Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy John Hill, Whitley EMS and Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley were also at the scene.