Man accused of killing elderly Bedford woman after forcing his way into her home
BEDFORD, Texas - UPDATE JUNE 20, 2024: Brandon Paramore was released from custody after new evidence in the case was brought to light.
A man has been charged with the murder of an elderly Bedford woman last week.
Brandon Paramore, 39, of Euless was charged with the murder of 79-year-old Christine Barsanti.
Police found Barsanti dead in her home on Meadow View Lane on Thursday.
Investigators say surveillance video shows Paramore, possibly wearing a wig at the time, ringing the doorbell to the home and asking to use Barsanti's phone. When she refused, the suspect forced his way into her home.
Investigators say Paramore approached the retired homeowner at her front door. And when she wouldn’t let him, he overpowered her.
"The door was open so they could communicate, and he forced his way in after that," said Bedford Police Chief Bobby LaPenna.
Barsanti’s grandchildren discovered her body.
"They’re a family who seems to talk to each other quite a bit. They came over to check on her well-being and discovered the house unsecured," LaPenna said. "The officers that were called to the scene reviewed the Ring video doorbell and were listening to the voice of the person and recognized it as being an individual they had dealt with earlier in the day."
Neighbor Elke Hallam had never seen Paramore until the day of the murder.
"We were just taking garbage out, but I just thought it was a normal person just walking through the neighborhood because a lot of people walk here," she said.
Police say Paramore has a distinctive southern accent. Hours before he approached Barsanti’s home, he was loitering and panhandling at several businesses that called to report him.
After the discovery of Barsanti’s body and the Ring camera video, officers located Paramore and placed him under surveillance.
"We maintained a visual on the individual from the time, we believed him to be a person of interest, and located where he was, watched him and keeping an eye on his movements," LaPenna said. "At a certain time, we approached him on the street and were able to put place him in custody for an unrelated charge."
Police tracked Paramore and arrested him on unrelated charges Saturday. He was charged with murder on Monday.
Hallam says she was feet away from the alleged killer.
"Didn’t say anything to me," she said. "I didn’t even really make face contact with him."
A motive is unclear.
Police haven't said whether anything was missing from Barsanti’s home.
The medical examiner has not released Barsanti’s cause of death. Police say her family told them it appeared she’d been hit with an unknown object.
"Right now, we have to reestablish and continue to figure out what exactly occurred in the house," LaPenna said.
Hallam is devastated to learn of the loss of who she describes as a wonderful neighbor.
"She’s like a breath of fresh air, sunshine, just super friendly, very loving, very caring," she said. "Very healthy, walked the neighborhood, always waved, said hello."
Paramore was transferred to the Tarrant County Jail on Monday. No bond has been set.