Bizarre story takes grotesque turn

According to the police, Michelle Bica, 39, shot Andrews in the back late last week, then cut a crude incision in her belly and took the nearly full-term baby, burying the mother in a shallow grave under her garage.

Bica told her husband and neighbours she had given birth and the police said her obesity, which could have disguised a pregnancy, led others to accept the story.

Police began questioning Bica on Monday about cellular telephone calls she made to Andrews, ostensibly about a vehicle Andrews was selling. The two women lived four blocks apart but may not have known each other.

When officers arrived later to ask Bica more questions, she shot and killed herself. The gun she used matched the one used to shoot Andrews.

No one has been charged in the case, police said.