A West Palm Beach woman has been charged with murder following the death of her 97-year-old mother, whose body was discovered the day after Christmas, authorities said.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies responded December 26 to a residence on Ashley Drive West, where they found Patricia Blake deceased. Because the elderly woman’s primary care physician was located out of state, the case was referred to the county medical examiner.
An autopsy revealed findings inconsistent with natural causes, and the death was ruled a homicide, according to the sheriff’s office. Detectives from the Violent Crimes Division launched a follow-up investigation and executed a search warrant at the home.
Investigators later interviewed Patricia Blake’s daughter, 66-year-old Martha Jo Blake, and determined she was responsible for the killing. She was arrested and booked into the Palm Beach County Jail.
Authorities have not released details regarding the cause of death or a possible motive. The investigation remains active as the case proceeds through the legal system.
Harlan Kilstein the publisher of this website is a resident of Delray. He has lived in Palm Beach County since 1997, In that time he has explored everything for surfing on private beaches in Delray to walks up and down Atlantic Avenue.
He is known to drop everything at a moment's notice to fish in Delray Lakes, bird watch, goes horseback riding or play pinball at the Delray Pin Ball Museum.
You can find him either sipping a coffee on Atlantic Avenue or drinking a flight of whiskey at Warren's.
One thing is certain, he knows Delray Beach.
