DOLOROSO &045;&045; A 61-year-old woman found dead Thursday in the Doloroso community of Wilkinson County was murdered, authorities said.

Wilkinson County Sheriff Reginald Jackson said deputies responding to a 911 call shortly after noon found Jeroldyne Carpenter dead in her home next door to the convenience store she had owned since 1997. &uot;It seems like someone gained entry from the west side of her house through an unsecured door,&uot; Jackson said.

Carpenter’s hands were bound with some type of cord, and a bed covering or spread was over her head, Jackson said.

At 8 p.m., investigators from the Mississippi Crime Labs Violent Crime Response Unit were still inside Carpenter’s house, processing the crime scene.

Jackson said the investigation into Carpenter’s death was in its very early stages. &uot;At this time, we have no real suspects. But we do have some leads to check on. It’s definitely a homicide,&uot; Jackson said.

Wilkinson County Coroner Travis Sharp said Newman Funeral Home would transport Carpenter’s body to the Misissippi Mortuary Service in Pearl for an autopsy to help determine the exact cause of Carpenter’s death. Sharp did not say when the autopsy would be performed.

Carpenter, a native of Montgomery County, moved to Wilkinson County seven years ago, according to her aunt, Jimmie Smith of the Sibley community in neighboring Adams County.

Smith waited outside Carpenter’s home with Angela Walker, a Doloroso resident who leased and operated Carpenter’s store, Jeri’s All Stop. Walker said she discovered Carpenter’s body and called 911 at 12:03 p.m. Thursday.

&uot;The last time I talked to her was Tuesday afternoon. She said she had plenty of food and she was alright,&uot; Walker said.

Walker said calls to Carpenter went unanswered, and she went next door with her aunt to check on Carpenter at about noon Thursday.

Walker described Carpenter as a frail person who was just recovering from a fall she suffered in January.

&uot;She was so small, she couldn’t have fought anybody. They didn’t have to kill her,&uot; Walker said.

Carpenter loved caring for an unusual assortment of pets, from guineau pigs and goldfish to tarantulas and snakes, Walker said.

&uot;She trusted animals more than she did people, really. I just can’t believe something like this could happen so close to home,&uot; Walker said.