CASSOPOLIS — Elizabeth Bosworth appeared before a judge by video Tuesday in Cass County. She has been charged with murder, accused of killing her husband's 85-year-old grandmother Margaret Bosworth in Edwardsburg over the weekend.

But family members who know both women don't know how this could happen.

In court Bosworth didn't say anything as to whether she is guilty or innocent, but prosecutors believe money may have played a role.

At the Council on Aging in Cass County, protecting the elderly is a top concern.

"I think a lot of times they're very vulnerable, they’re alone,” said Suzanne Beurmann with the Council on Aging.

So something like this is heartbreaking.

Prosecutors say Elizabeth Bosworth knocked 85-year-old Margaret Bosworth down the stairs in her home near Edwardsburg and stabbed her between 6 and 8 times, killing the elderly woman.

"We don't know why,” said family friend Patricia Warner. “We don't know if anybody will ever know why. It just makes you sick.”

But prosecutors believe money may have played a role — something they say will come out as the case moves forward.

"My grandmother was a very loving lady. She didn't have a mean bone in her body and she was a great grandmother and we are really going to miss her a lot,” her grandson Kevin told WSBT News. “We're all in shock right now."

Those at the Council on Aging say violent crime like this is rare, but they do see a lot of cases of financial abuse where elderly people are taken advantage of over money.

Bosworth will be back in court later this month.