GRAY — The state autopsy of an 81-year-old woman who suffered fatal injuries when attacked in the middle of the night in her apartment in Farmington shows she was stabbed to death.

According to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Augusta Grace Burton died from “multiple stab wounds.”

During a 2 p.m. press conference Wednesday updating the investigation at the Maine State Police barracks in Gray  police said the assailant gained entry to Burton’s home via a window on the back side of her first-floor apartment by cutting through the window screen.

Maine State Police Lt. Brian McDonough said DNA samples from the suspect’s blood obtained at the scene would be run through DNA felony crime databases in Maine and the U.S.

McDonough said Burton sustain multiple stab wounds to the body and head.

He said dive teams on Tuesday were searching nearby ponds for the knife used in the attack. Police had also looked for a knife in area storm drains but so far have not found it.

McDonough continued the appeal to the public for help in solving the case urging anybody with information to contact state or local police.

Before she died Burton was able to tell authorities her attacker had a thin mustache.

Police said it was possible the attacker and Burton may have been acquainted.

McDonough declined comment on what motive the suspect may have had in breaking into Burton’s home. Police also would not say what, if anything, had been taken from the home.

Burton, died Tuesday morning at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston after an unidentified man broke into her home at the Margaret Chase Smith Apartments on Fairbanks Road in Farmington and assaulted her.

Maine State Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect.

Investigators believe the assailant suffered injuries to his hands and fingers in the attack.

Burton was able to call 911 shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday to report the attack.

Staff writers Christopher Williams and Ann Bryant contributed to this report.