UPDATE: Police Arrest 2 in Slaying of Royal Oak Woman

Two people have been arrested in connection with the slaying of an 80-year-old Royal Oak woman.

The arrests were made about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday by Royal Oak Police, in conjunction with the Oakland County Fugitive Apprehension Team and U.S. Marshals. 

Both suspects have felony parole absconder warrants, according to a Royal Oak Police news release.

Nancy Dailey was found dead just after 8 p.m. Sunday by a relative who went to her house in the 2900 block of Trafford to check on her, police said. Her throat was cut and her hands bound behind her back, police said.

Before the arrests Tuesday afternoon, police released few details about the incident in the Woodwardside neighborhood east of Woodward and south of 13 Mile Road. Investigators believe she died between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday and said there were signs of a robbery. A white SUV or minivan was seen in the area and might be involved, Royal Oak Police Lt. Thomas Goad said in press release. 

On Monday, police combed the immediate area around Dailey's home as well as her neighborhood. Officials were out in the community Sunday night and throughout the day Monday, particularly along Woodward Avenue, where the killer might have traveled after leaving the crime scene. Investigators talked to neighbors and nearby businesses to see if anyone had seen anything unusual.

Neighbor Tim Stedman knew Dailey for some 40 years and has no idea who or why anyone would hurt the "nice little old lady" who was known to many neighbors as the woman who walked several miles a day until failing health forced her to give that up.

"It's just awful," neighborhood resident Dorothy Shaw said Monday morning. "I can't fathom who would do this."

Former Royal Oak Mayor Dennis Cowan lives a few houses down from Dailey's home. “It’s just shocking,” he told the Detroit Free Press. “People are very close here and take care of each other. They're obviously very upset and want to know who did it.”

Others lament the incident, but trust in the safety of the city that is a few miles north of Detroit.

"This is horrible and tragic and truly frightening, but could happen anywhere anytime," Royal Oak Patch reader Lynn H commented. "I don't think it's indicative of our particular city becoming any less safe overall. Yes I'm scared and will be very cautious, but stuff like this can happen in the 'safest' of areas. It just takes one crazed person to strike fear in an entire community, and unfortunately there's no way to predict or necessarily prevent where a person like that may strike."

While residents are eager for new information about the case, most expressed trust in the system.

"Of course, everyone would like more more information, but if giving out less information resolves the case then that is how it has got to be done," Stedman said. "When they resolve this, I am sure they will give us more information that will raise our comfort level, but until that time, they are doing their job. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the Royal Oak Police."

Mayor Jim Ellison said he supports the police and their decisions in investigating this crime. “When they have completed their investigation and have something to say, they will tell us,” Ellison said. “We need to let them do their job.”

Meanwhile, a memorial service for Dailey is being planned at the . The time and date of the service have yet to be confirmed, Pat Flanigan, a director at Pixley, said Tuesday morning.

Police ask anyone with information to call the Royal Oak Police Department at (248) 246-3500.