What began as an unauthorized use of a vehicle call ended up asa homicide investigation into the death of an 81-year-old woman anda 17-year-old teen charged in the killing, said Lincoln CountySheriff Steve Rushing.

Responding to the unauthorized use call around 11:15 a.m.Wednesday, officers found the body of Marie Pendilton in thebackyard of her home at 1337 Old Saint John’s Road.

Lincoln County Coroner Clay McMorris said the woman waspronounced dead at 12:45 p.m., but how long she had been in theyard is undetermined at this point. He said there were signs oftrauma on her body, but an autopsy was to be performed at the stateCrime Lab to determine the exact cause of death.

“After that, we ought to be able to tell what killed her,”McMorris said. “I probably won’t have those results for a couple ofdays.”

The vehicle, a small passenger car, was not at the residencewhen officers arrived. The car was found at an abandoned residenceon Highway 51 within walking distance of the Old Saint John’s RoadRoad home.

Lorenzo Washington, 17, of 1331 Old Saints John’s Road, wasarrested after being located in the vicinity, Rushing said.

“Our officers knew who was seen in the car earlier,” Rushingsaid.

Washington will be charged as an adult with murder in the death,Rushing said. He remained in jail today and bond has not beenset.

Rushing said Washington and Pendilton were related, but he didnot specify the connection.

The sheriff said the investigation is ongoing andrepresentatives from the state Crime Lab were at the sceneWednesday to collect evidence in the case.

“They’re working that part of it for us,” Rushing said.

District Attorney Dee Bates said the case would be presented tothe grand jury as soon as possible. He said that could be duringthe grand jury’s April or June terms.

Pendilton’s body will be taken to Tyler Funeral Home, McMorrissaid. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.