But by then the accused had already slipped into her flat and hidden inside her bedroom. The moment she entered, he grabbed a kitchen knife from the house and stabbed her on the neck. The elderly woman screamed for help, but the injuries proved fatal, and she died on the spot before neigh bours could rush to rescue her. When the neighbours entered her flat they noticed Mahirunissa lying in a pool of blood on the ground and the accused, hiding himself inside the bedroom. By then, the police also reached the spot. The police overpowered the accused in the bedroom and arrest ed him. According to the Mormugao Police, the motive behind the crime was immediately not known and the matter is under investigation. The police conducted the panchanama and sent the body to the hospital for a post-mortem exam ination. Meanwhile, family members and locals have expressed their shock and anguish over the incident. Mahirunissa was residing with her son, who had gone out for some work at the time of the murder. She also has two daughters, one based abroad and another residing in Pune and they are likely to arrive in Goa on Monday. Neighbours informed that the victim had purchased the flat a few years ago but was unhappy with the living con ditions. The building itself, they said, was in a dilapidated condition, and she had recently asked relatives to help her find a new place on rent. In fact, friends had already iden tified another flat for her, and she was scheduled to inspect it on Monday, they said, adding that she was in the process of finalizing the new flat. Police have assured the residents that further investi gation will establish the motive and background of the ac cused, who will be produced before the Vasco for remand on Monday.