Crime scene investigators surrounded the home of an east El Paso woman accused of killing her estranged husband, a Fort Bliss soldier, more than 35 years ago.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office crime scene command unit was at the home of Lisbeth Ann Garrett, 74, on Friday.

She was arrested Thursday at her home for the 1977 murder of her husband, former decorated Fort Bliss soldier Maj. Chester Garrett.

Neighbors said they saw the authorities dressed in hazmat suits gathering evidence out of Lisbeth's home.

Garrett was arrested Thursday in El Paso. At the same time, homicide detectives went to Knoxville, Tenn., and arrested Roger Evan Garrett, 54, on charges of murdering Chester Garrett, his stepfather.

Neighbors KFOX 14 spoke with Friday describe Lisbeth as keeping to herself and say she never answered her door.

Some neighbors didn't even know her, and said they thought her house had been abandoned.

One woman, who lives across the street from the Garrett household, said the home had been empty for two years but she'd seen Lisbeth back in recent weeks.

Chester was a U.S. Army officer assigned to Fort Bliss when he was found dead in the county in 1977.

"I was shocked. I was shocked because she told me that her husband was shot. She told me this about 15 years ago. And he wasn't shot. So I thought, that's strange. But again, she was [a] recluse," said Carole Forrest, a neighbor.

For many years, Lisbeth worked for the Ysleta Independent School District.

She was also charged with murder and is currently booked in the El Paso County Detention Center under a $5 million bond.