Cape Girardeau police are investigating a possible altercation or break-in that left blood smears and spatters on and around a residence on Jefferson Avenue over the weekend.

Sgt. Rick Schmidt said police got a call Sunday evening from a concerned relative of the woman who lived at a residence in the 1000 block of Jefferson Avenue.

When officers arrived at the house, they found a front window broken and smeared with blood. There was blood on the front door and drops of blood peppering the sidewalk in front of the house.

Schmidt said a neighbor had seen the home's resident at 10 a.m. Sunday, and he thought the blood stains were several days old.

A blood trail led to an unlocked back door of the residence, and police found more blood inside the house, Schmidt said.

Someone may have been cut while trying to break into the residence, and area hospitals were asked if anyone had been admitted with hand or arm injuries, he said.

As of 9:30 p.m. Sunday, police were investigating the incident as a missing person complaint.

Pertinent address:

1000 Jefferson Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo.