SAN ANTONIO -- A woman found dead Friday morning was strangled to death, police said, making her death the first homicide of the year in San Antonio.

Dana Clair Edwards, 33, was found in the bathroom of her townhome near the intersection of Nacogdoches Road and North New Braunfels Avenue with blood found in various places around the home, said San Antonio police Sgt. Gabe Treviño.

Neighbors said the construction designer and decorator was a woman they'd come to admire for her love of animals.

"I miss her waving to me and I miss seeing her walking our dogs," said Sharon Hasslocher. "We're going to miss her."

Treviño said there were no apparent signs of homicide during the initial investigation and police don't believe Edwards' death happened during a burglary, but they are asking the public for any information that might help the investigation. Edwards was last seen by family members about 5:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve.

Family members are also asking the public to keep an eye out for Edwards' Jack Russell Terrier named Grit. The dog was missing when Edwards was found, and the family said the dog is all that's left of their daughter.