AHOSKIE – Progress is being made on finding the person or persons responsible for taking the life of Ruby Martin Baker.

Ahoskie Police Chief Troy Fitzhugh told the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald on Friday that the murder investigation remains a top priority.

“This very much remains an active investigation,” Fitzhugh said. “We are still following up on leads we have in this case. What we’re waiting for at this moment is some information to come back to us from the SBI (State Bureau of Investigation) lab in Raleigh. We’re hoping that information will shed more light on this case.”

Fitzhugh also confirmed the cause of death, as first reported by this newspaper.

“The autopsy revealed that Mrs. Baker died as the result of a single gunshot wound to her chest,” he stated.

That autopsy was performed by the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Greenville.

Baker was shot around 1 a.m. on March 2 by an intruder or intruders. She was transported to Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital where she succumbed a short time later.

The Ahoskie Police were alerted to Baker’s home, located at 802 Parker Avenue, through a call received from ADT alarm monitoring service. Responding law enforcement officers secured the residence and launched an investigation, to include calling the SBI for assistance.

Ahoskie Police Lt. Jeremy Roberts is heading up the investigation.

Funeral services for Baker were conducted one week ago in the chapel of Garrett-Sykes Funeral Home of Ahoskie. She was laid to rest in the Ahoskie Cemetery.