Family ‘in complete shock’ after grandmother, granddaughter killed in Middle River

BALTIMORE — Family members are shocked after a woman and her granddaughter was found dead Sunday morning inside a house in Middle River.

Autumn Harvey, 29, and her 75-year-old grandmother, Iona Sellers, lived together in the Taos Circle home.

Baltimore County police responded to the home just before 10 a.m. Sunday for a location check call.

Police found the woman died from blunt force trauma to her upper body.

Devin Harvey, Autumn Harvey’s cousin, told WJZ that family members have not heard from her since last Friday.

“It was a complete shock,” Harvey said. “I think I blacked out for a few seconds (when I heard the news). I woke up and I was on the floor.”

Harvey told WJZ that he grew up with Autumn and even lived in the same house.

He says he considers her more of a sister than a cousin.

The two hung out regularly as adults, sharing the same hobbies as they did as children.

Harvey said the last time he saw his cousin was last week at another family member’s house, where he was enjoying the pool and a meal.

He describes her as a kind person with an infectious laugh.

“She was a little shy, but once you got to know her and came out of her shell, she was just awesome,” Harvey said.

Harvey said Autumn moved in with Iona a few years ago after her grandfather died.

Although Harvey was not related to her, he described Iona as generous and dedicated to her community and church.

“She was a great person,” Harvey said. “She would give you the shirt off her back. They were very close. Autumn wanted to stay here with her grandmother because she didn’t want her to be alone.”

The family says they are still dealing with the trauma of the killings while hoping for justice.

“We really want to find out why this happened, who did this and get justice,” Harvey said.

Police say they are still looking for a suspect and are committed to finding the person responsible.

Detectives are urging anyone with information related to the case to contact them at 410-307-2020 or call the anonymous Metro Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-866-756-2587 (7LOCKUP).