A friend of Autumn Harvey, the 29-year-old victim of a double homicide in Middle River, said he was left in disbelief, wondering: “Why would anybody even hurt her?”

Wes Richardson had known Harvey for about two years. They met through mutual friends and had just spent her 29th birthday celebrating at the beach and at a pool party he hosted at his house. Losing a friend who also lived nearby was “unreal,” Richardson said.

“It was one of those things that you hear about, but you never expected to hit close to home,” Richardson said.

Harvey and her grandmother, Iona Sellers, were found dead Sunday in their Middle River home with blunt force trauma to the upper body. An investigation is ongoing and Baltimore County Police said detectives are awaiting autopsy results from the medical examiner. Police did not provide an update on the investigation Thursday.

Richardson said Harvey had gotten home late Friday night after going out. She was supposed to go rafting with some friends, and when they hadn’t heard from her, they figured maybe she was sleeping in, Richardson said. After not hearing from her all day Saturday, Richardson said, the friends called someone to get the police to do a wellness check Sunday morning.

Richardson said Harvey was a kind, gentle soul. Even when a bug would fly into the pool, she would want to save it, he said. She was kind enough to make sure he got home safe after having some drinks while out a few weeks ago, he said, calling a ride for the two of them without even asking.

“She was a very fun, loving person,” Richardson said. “Not one bit selfish, she always looked out for everybody else.”