Needham Woman Found Guilty Of Murdering Elderly Neighbor

NEEDHAM, MA — A woman from Needham is facing a mandatory life sentence in prison after being convicted in connection with the murder of her 81-year-old neighbor in 2017.

A jury found Tammie Galloway, 51, of Needham, guilty in the murder of 81-year-old Laura Shifrina in Norfolk Superior Court on Thursday.

Shifrina, 81, was found dead and with lacerations to her neck by her daughter on May 31, 2017, in her retirement housing apartment on Linden Street.

A medical examination determined that she had three broken ribs on the left side of her body and one on the right, according to a police report read in court.

During the investigation, police learned that Shifrina's car, checkbook, cell phone, and jewelry were missing. The car, a Ford Fiesta, was located in Dorchester.

Surveillance footage in Dorchester showed a woman who looked like Galloway near the car, with a purple purse and wiping down the exterior handles with bleach. Police located the purse while executing a search warrant on June 11.

A gun and bloodstain were located in the purse, which prosecutors say is a DNA match to the victim.

In addition to a mandatory life sentence, Galloway was also found guilty Thursday of armed robbery and larceny of Shifrina's car.

More on Patch

• Jury Selection Begins For Needham Neighbor Murder Trial
• Needham Murder: Suspect Held Without Bail
• Woman Charged In Needham Murder Remains Held Without Bail