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Former housekeeper remembers boss as police search for her killer

HEDWIG VILLAGE, Texas – Hedwig Village police are still looking for the person responsible for killing a 79-year-old woman.

Police said Janeil Bernard's maid found her body. Someone beat her and stabbed her multiple times.

There was a sign of a struggle.

Moteel Susberry said Bernard was more like a sister to her.

After working for Bernard for 57 years, Susberry said their bond was more like a sisterhood.

"She was like an angel from heaven, she was, she took care of me and I took (care of) her," Susberry said.

Susberry did house work for Bernard, a woman who had a passion for ballroom dancing and was known for her generosity.

"Whatever I needed, she helped me with, she bought me a car back in '77 or '78. Bought me a yellow Subaru when they first came out," Susberry said.

Susberry can't understand why someone would want to do this to her friend.

"I go to bed crying, I get up crying, sometimes I cry through the daytime," Susberry said.

Hedwig police said there was no forced entry into Bernard's home and she may have known her attacker and tried to fight them off.

Investigators said they found her car abandoned on Houston's Southside.

"Knowing her and knowing how she was, she wouldn't hurt no body, and they did her like they did, they didn't have to do that," Susberry said.

Susberry said she's remembering the happy times, their travels and the laughs over the years.

"I'd tell her I'm so glad God put you in my life. I'm glad he put you in my life, too," Susberry said when asked what she would say to Bernard if she was able.

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