Woman accused of killing 81-year-old Needham woman held without bail

DEDHAM, Mass. — A woman believed to have brutally killed an 81-year-old Needham woman in her apartment last month was held without bail after her arraignment in court Friday morning.

No motive was given during Tammie Galloway’s arraignment, but officials said in court that after killing Laura Shifrina, she stole her car and drove to Dorchester where she was spotted on surveillance video trying to buy bleach to wipe down the bloody car.

MORE: Suspect arrested in murder of 81-year-old Needham woman

In addition, officials said, Galloway had the victim’s purse, which also had Shifrina’s blood on it.

More details about Shifrina’s cause of death was also revealed in court. Official said she suffered from lacerations to her neck and had several broken ribs.

MORE: Neighbors on edge as investigation into murder of Needham woman continues

Her body was found days later inside her apartment by her daughter, who was performing a well-being check.

Court officials said Galloway and Safrina were neighbors in the same elderly housing complex, but Galloway isn’t elderly so it’s unclear why she was living in the complex.

They also said that Galloway was arrested on gun charges almost immediately after the killing and she has been in custody for weeks while they worked to get more information about the killing.

"The Needham Police and Massachusetts State Police detectives attached to the Norfolk District Attorney's Office have been working at all hours of the day and night since Ms. Shifrina was discovered dead in her home," Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey said.

Boston 25’s Bob Ward was in court for the arraignment and will have a complete report starting at 4 p.m.

Cox Media Group