Hartford Man Charged With Murder of Elderly Woman

Police say the 52-year-old suspect refused to cooperate and barricaded himself inside the victim's apartment.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A 52-year-old Hartford man has been charged with murder and interfering with police after officers responding to a well-being check found a 75-year-old woman dead inside her Washington Street apartment on Sunday. The suspect, Ottahu Holder, allegedly refused to cooperate with police and barricaded himself inside the apartment before officers forced their way in and found the victim suffering from severe head trauma.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing violent crime in urban areas, as well as the importance of police response protocols and procedures when dealing with uncooperative suspects. The death of the elderly victim is particularly concerning and raises questions about the suspect's motives and the safety of vulnerable populations.

The details

According to the Hartford Police Department, officers were dispatched to the apartment on Washington Street around 6:58 pm on Sunday, March 8, for a report of a woman who was unconscious and not breathing. When they arrived, they encountered Ottahu Holder, 52, inside the apartment, who refused to cooperate and would not allow the officers entry. Police then forced their way into the apartment, where they found the 75-year-old victim, Linda Anthony, suffering from severe head trauma. Holder was then secured by the officers, and investigators from the department's Major Crimes Division and Crime Scene Division took over the ongoing investigation.

  • On Sunday, March 8, 2026, at around 6:58 pm, police were dispatched to the apartment.
  • On Sunday, March 8, 2026, officers found the 75-year-old victim deceased inside the apartment.

The players

Ottahu Holder

A 52-year-old Hartford man who has been charged with murder and interfering with police in connection with the death of the 75-year-old victim.

Linda Anthony

A 75-year-old Hartford woman who was found deceased in her apartment, suffering from severe head trauma.

Hartford Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident, charged the suspect, and is leading the ongoing investigation.

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What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant bail for the suspect, Ottahu Holder, at a hearing on Thursday.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for continued vigilance and effective response protocols to address violent crime, particularly when it involves vulnerable populations. The investigation will likely focus on the suspect's motives and whether there were any prior warning signs or opportunities to intervene before the fatal incident occurred.