A 69-year-old woman was found stabbed to death in a Foley motel Wednesday night and now police say they are searching for the woman’s daughter.

Foley police responded to the Town & Country Motel on North McKenzie Street Wednesday night after a report of a death at the extended stay motel.

Officers arriving at the scene found a female, already deceased, determining her death as “suspicious.”

With no immediate suspect, the Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit was called in to assist and began the investigation.

Once the scene was processed by crime scene investigators, it was determined the victim — identified as Shirley Smith — had suffered several stab wounds, although the exact cause of death won’t be known until completion of an autopsy by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

Investigation revealed Shirley Smith lived at the motel with her 36-year-old daughter Katie Lee Smith.

Witnesses told police the daughter had been seen at their rental unit during the day yesterday, but she was not present when officers arrived that evening.

Witnesses also told investigators they had seen Katie Smith at the motel and with her mother during the days leading up to Shirley Smith’s death. Police learned Katie Smith had left the area on foot.

Foley police say Katie Smith has information that is “vital” to the investigation and is wanted for questioning. She is described as 5-1 in height, about 120 pounds and was last seen wearing a grey tank top.

Anyone with information regarding Katie Lee Smith’s location is asked to contact the Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit at 251-937-0202 or the Foley Police Department at 251-943-4431.