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Photos Released Of Possible Suspect Wanted For Abducting Woman Found Dead At Casino

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Photo of the suspect. (Credit: Griffith Police Department)

GRIFFITH, Ind. (CBS) -- Police from Griffith and Gary are hoping the public can help lead them to the killer of a 76-year-old businesswoman.

Police released four photos Wednesday of the man who is believed to have abducted victim Mary Austgen from the family's Griffith business, but had little else to say.

Griffith Detective Lieutenant Matt Argadine came up empty handed when asked why someone would want to kill her.

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Photo of the suspect. (Credit: Griffith Police Department)

"We have no idea," he said.

The man appeared to be of medium build and wore sunglasses, a black leather jacket with a fur collar, light gray khaki pants, a navy blue sweatshirt and a black Harley-Davidson camp that had orange flames on either corner of the cap's brim. He carried a black backpack.

The body was found in her white 2011 GMC Yukon Denali SUV, parked outside the Majestic Star casino. She was found in the passenger seat with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Argadine said detectives have no proof she was ever inside the casino.

Austgen, 76, of St. John, was abducted about 5:40 p.m. Thursday from The Austgen Cos., at 801 E. Main St., Griffith police said. A family member who worked with her at The Austgen Cos. almost immediately reported her missing.

Police detectives searched the business last week, and officials said it was being treated as a crime scene. Police also searched her home.

Photos Released Of Possible Suspect Wanted For Abducting Woman Found Dead At Casino

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Griffith Police Department's anonymous tip line at (219) 922-3085. People also can call Gary police Detective Lorenzo Davis at (219) 881-4738 or the Gary department's anonymous tip line at (866) 274-6347.

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Photo of the suspect. (Credit: Griffith Police Department)
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