The Lehigh County Coroner's Office has ruled the Feb. 18 death of an Orefield woman, who was shot almost 31 years ago, is a homicide.

Coroner Scott Grim says Linda J. Knauss, 65, Orefield, was pronounced dead at 2:10 a.m. in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

Grim states her death was not initially reported to his office, as her family decided to have her cremated.

The funeral home, however, following established procedure, asked the coroner's office for permission to perform the cremation.

Based on the cause of death listed, the coroner opened an investigation, as Knauss' death appeared to be trauma related.

During the investigation, the coroner learned her death was related to complications of an injury when she was shot around 6:30 p.m. April 12, 1982 during a robbery attempt in The Plum boutique, 213 Locust St., Harrisburg.

According to a published report by Jeremy Arias of PennLive.com, Knauss, who was shot in the neck, remained partially paralyzed.