Prescott community in shock after 2 women admitted to killing 77-year-old in 2016

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (FOX 10) -- Prescott Police officials say two people have admitted to killing a 77-year-old woman in late 2016.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, while the crime happened in 2016, police only found the body of the victim identified as Sandra Aven, on Tuesday. Police say a person filed a report with police earlier in the day, saying Aven has not been seen in quite some time. Officers then made contact with Aven's granddaughter, 24-year-old Briar Aven and Briar's mother, 46-year-old Tara Aven. Both women live near the victim, and gave police inconsistent information. Officers later found a body inside the residence.

The body has yet to be identified, but police say Briar and Tara later confessed to killing Sandra, as well as admitting to cashing numerous monthly payment checks belonging to the victim, after her death.

Sandra's former husband said Sandra and her family had a rocky relationship, with Tara dealing with mental health issues. He also described Briar as having a "mean streak".

"Tara is not a bad person, I don't believe. This is my personal opinion," said the former husband. "Even when she was going through her issues, she didn't act mean in any way, but Briar did."

Some neighbors say in the past, the Avens were friendly and seemed nice. Others, however, say that wasn't the case more recently.

Meanwhile, Briar's former teacher issued a statement Tuesday night.

"Briar Aven was a student at Northpoint who graduated 6 years ago. During my time as her English teacher, I found her to be a solid student. I have not had contact with her in several years, and lost track of her and her family. This is a horrible situation and we are as shocked and saddened to hear the news as anyone else."

Anyone with information in the case should call Prescott Police.