Death May Be Homicide Woman’s Body Found In Her East Central Home

A 49-year-old Spokane woman was found dead in her East Central home early Sunday, apparently the victim of a homicide, police said.

The body of Linda Lewis, 49, was found by her two sons just before 1 a.m. inside her home at 2023 E. Hartson.

“They got a call from a friend of hers asking to check on her welfare,” police spokesman Dick Cottam said.

Police aren’t releasing the nature of Lewis’ injuries or why they believe the death is a homicide. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

Police said they have no motive or suspects.

Neighbors described Lewis as an eccentric woman who “talked straight” and liked to sit on her porch. She stood over 6 feet tall, liked to wear wigs and went to church every Sunday morning, and sometimes in the evenings.

“She’s nice,” Cindy Bateman said. “She didn’t even know us three weeks, and she loaned us money.”

Besides loaning Bateman’s family $80 for rent, Lewis served the children trays of cakes. She also invited neighbors inside her home to chat.

On Sunday, the home’s front door was boarded up and a “No Trespassing” sign was tacked up.

“That’s a shame, a real shame,” said Bateman, shaking her head. “She had her faults, she did things, but she was a good person.”