72-year-old Arlington Co. woman was smothered, drugged in September, investigators say

ARLINGTON, Va. (FOX 5 DC) - A 72-year-old woman was smothered and drugged in September 2018, according to Arlington County police investigators.

Initially, police believed Penelope Holloway died of natural causes when they found her body in her North Scott Street home.

The death was assigned the department's homicide and robbery unit for follow-up.

After reviewing the evidence, investigators classified Holloway's death as a homicide.

Police believe the incident was isolated, and they are still investigating.

According to her obituary, Holloway had a successful career in retail, real estate, and the hospitality business. She travelled around th world, and was also an art collector who donated to institutions like the National Gallery of Art, the NSO, the ASPCA, and the Humane Society.

Her neighbors remember a woman who was heavily involved in her community.

They say she suffered from chronic pain in the time before her death.

If you have any information that might help investigators, call (702) 228-4049.