ROCKLAND — A South Thomaston woman accused of killing an 83-year-old woman in her Owls Head’s home, made her initial court appearance in Knox County Superior Court Feb. 25.

Sarah Richards, 37, was arrested by the Maine State Police Feb. 22 and charged with the murder of Helen Carver. She has been held at the Knox County Jail since her arrest.

Justice Bruce Mallonee presided at the brief hearing. At the beginning of the hearing, he asked Richards if she understood the charge and her rights. She replied yes with her attorney, Jeremy Pratt, of Camden, sitting next to her.

Pratt did not request a hearing to determine if Richards is eligible for bail.

Justice Mallonee stated that there will be a period of up to 75 days before the next court hearing is held to allow Pratt adequate time to review all of the case material. He also granted the request of Assistant Attorney General Bud Ellis to impound the affidavit, which will contain the details of the crime and arrest, until the investigation is complete.

The Maine Public Safety spokesman confirmed in a news release that an autopsy, completed on Feb. 22 by the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Augusta, determined that Carver died from “blunt force trauma.”

Police confirmed in a news release that Carver’s body was found in her home at 20 South Shore Drive, Feb. 21, by a relative who had gone to the home to check on her. Carver lived alone.

Richards had been employed by Carver to shovel her walkway and driveway during the winter, according to police.

She also has a criminal record with past convictions of theft and drug trafficking.

Sarah Shepherd can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com