A Foley woman was arrested in the early morning hours Friday on multiple charges, including abuse of a corpse, in connection with the death of her mother, whose lifeless body was found at a motel Wednesday, according to the Major Crimes Unit of Baldwin County (MCU).

But the charges against 36-year-old Katie Lee Smith did not include murder, which leaves the question of who killed 69-year-old Shirley Smith apparently unanswered.

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.

Shirley Smith was found dead inside the rental unit she and her daughter shared at the extended-stay motel, with several stab wounds found on her body.

Although they have not released a cause of death, the MCU said Friday the evidence from the autopsy, as well as that gathered at the scene, have made this case a homicide investigation.

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

Witnesses also said 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.

Early Friday, patrol deputies saw Katie Smith leaving the motel office. The deputies and Foley police tried to detain her, but she ran into a nearby wooded area. A short time later, however, she was captured.

After she was interviewed, and what police called “the totality of the facts,” Katie Smith was charged with first-degree criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, attempting to elude and abuse of a corpse.