Purnea, July 14: A 65-year-old woman was hacked to death by her stepson at her residence in Lalganj Milki Tola under Maranga police station last night.

The police said they are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder.

The woman has been identified as Bibi Sharifan, second wife of one Mohammed Khalil, whose younger son Mohammed Afroz hacked her to death.

However, sources said that the cause of death was said to be family dispute and frequent quarrels were common among the family members.

Afroz is on the run before the police could reach the place, sources said. Soon after the incident occurred, Maranga police sent the body for a post-mortem to the Purnea Sadar Hospital.

Sources said Mohammed Khalil was shocked to hear the news of his wife’s death. “He is absolutely numb after hearing it,” a source said.

Mohammed Mostakim, son of Sharifan’s stepdaughter, said: “Quarrels were frequent among the family members but we never expected such an outcome. It is unimaginable because the intensity of quarrel was never that serious. Sharifan was a very sober and calm person. She could not have provoked someone that would lead to her murder.”

Maranga police said that they were investigating the incident and a case of murder has been lodged.

“It would be too early to reach to any conclusion before the investigation is over. The mother and son used to quarrel on petty issues and it could be a reason behind her murder,” a police officer said.