New details come in murder case - Woman, 79, was beaten to death
By Darla Hernandez

Flint Township — (08/24/04)--There were new details Tuesday in the brutal murder of a 79-year-old Flint Township widow.

According to authorities, the suspect met a family member of the widow about a year ago. That's when the lives of the suspect and victim became intertwined. Darla Hernandez had more.

Police say the live-in caretaker who was three times the size of the elderly woman and was hired just a few weeks ago by family to help the widow was Tuesday charged with her murder.

A distraught family listened as 37-year old Rosie Starnes was charged with four felony counts including armed robbery and first degree murder of 79-year-old Alvera Nowosislosky.

Police say Nowosislosky was found in her bedroom beaten to death with a claw hammer Sunday morning. Genseee County Prosecutor Art Busch believes Starnes murdered the widow, who was confined to a wheelchair.

The family, who did not want to go on camera, says they grew up in the house and can't believe a woman they trusted could do something so horrible.

Authorities say this is a sad reminder for the public to always do a background check before hiring someone to do this type of work. As for the defendant, she's scheduled to be back in court Friday for her preliminary hearing.