In Lee County investigators are trying to solve a murder that has rattled the people of Beattyville. Martha Hollar, 79, was killed Friday night and then her home on Main Street, right in the middle of town, was set on fire.
On Monday arson investigators scoured through boxes of rubble, buckets of ash and barrels of what once were Hollar’s most precious possessions. It is all now evidence slowly sifted, in a crime hard to comprehend.
“She was murdered and that’s awful… and then burned,” said Earlene Johnson. For her, looking at what’s left of Hollar’s life is especially devastating. The pair were inseparable
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“Best friend, she was my best friend. She was like a sister,” said Johnson. The pair had breakfast together three days a week and even shared dinner on Friday, then Hollar went home to sew. Shortly after, she was killed and her home was engulfed in flames.
“I just feel terrible. I cried and cried, my eyelids was sore from crying,” said Johnson. She said she is shocked, but sadly not surprised.
Hollar had a passion for antiques, and owned several stores and a second home. The second home was burglarized a few weeks before this tragedy, when Hollar was recovering from surgery. Now Johnson thinks the crimes might be linked.
“That is what is in my mind, that she was getting close to finding out who done it,” said Johnson.
Kentucky State Police won’t say if the crimes are connected, or if they have a suspect in mind. However, friends have their own theories. “I hope they find who did it, I really do. And I hope they put him away for a long time,” said Johnson.
Whatever the outcome… Johnson said the most tragic part is that the community has lost such a sweet, caring and loving lady. “It’s a very big loss, very big. Everybody loved Martha,” said Johnson.
Hollar would have been 80 years old in October, instead her funeral will be next Wednesday at Newman’s Funeral Home in Beattyville.
