Police say an attack on a television anchorwoman was being considered a random assault because there is no evidence to suggest that she was targeted because of her high-profile job.
Police Sgt. Cassandra Davis said the beating was being treated as a random incident, in the course of a robbery.
Investigators had considered whether a stalker or someone in the news recently may have assaulted the anchorwoman, but Davis said there was no evidence of that. She said police had not received a lot of tips in the case.
Little Rock police say KATV's Anne Pressly, 26, was found by her mother at about 4:30 a.m. Monday lying in her bed and bleeding from being beaten, says Little Rock police spokeswoman Sgt. Cassandra Davis.
As a reporter, Anne Pressly has had to cover crime. This time, she's on the other side of the story.
"We've never seen an act carried out on a media personality," says Davis.
Police found her beaten after her mother called 911 at 4:30 a.m. Monday.
Police say Pressly's mother calls her every morning to wake her up. When she didn't pick up, her mother knew something was wrong.
"This area is not known for violent crime," says Davis.
Neighbors who know her are worried. She's lived in the Heights neighborhood on Club Road for three years.
Pressly's neighbor Joey Sabb says Pressly is "charismatic, colorful, loved God, loved her job, just happy."
Sabb says he didn't hear any noise from Pressly's house during the night.
Police don't have any suspects, a weapon, or a motive to answer why anyone would want to attack Pressly. Davis says Pressly's purse was missing, so robbery could be a motive. However, there were no signs of forced-entry.
KATV President and General Manager Dale Nicholson released a statement Monday afternoon.
"The next days are critical" Nicholson said. "All we can do is care for her, care for her family-reach out and embrace them-and pray to God that the best comes out of this."
Early reports say she was stabbed, but investigators say her injuries are from blunt force trauma to the head.
Davis says investigators are talking to friends of Pressly's to find out if she had been threatened. Davis says she had never reported any stalker incidents to Little Rock police.
The last known contact with Pressly was between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Sunday at a party.
Anne Pressly's family released the following statement Tuesday:
The family of Anne Pressly would like to thank all of you who have prayed for Anne and for us, for your visits, your calls and the many ways you've reached out to us at this very difficult time.
We are appreciative of the outpouring of love we've received - obviously out of your love for Anne. We are overwhelmed by your affection; the care Anne's physicians and nurses have given her, the diligence of the Little Rock Police Department in this investigation and local and national reporters who have respected our privacy.
Anne has a long struggle of recovery ahead of her. She is a fighter, a strong, healthy and physically fit young woman. We expect her to recover completely. We ask that you continue to pray for Anne and for us. We very much appreciate the blood donations that you've given in Anne's name. Rest assured that the sacrifice of your own blood will be used either to help Anne or to help someone else who needs it.
Now our family needs private time. Please respect our wishes and give us time to heal as a family - privately - without visitors. We will issue statements as Anne's condition improves. Today Anne is in critical but stable condition.
The Family of Anne Pressly