"N" Search of Ecstasy

Mannie Fresh's sister, Angela Bryant, was shot and killed Wednesday night in her New Orleans home, according to local TV affiliate WWLTV. Police reportedly said the 42-year-old mother's two young children were present but not physically harmed.

Authorities said Bryant, whose body was discovered early Thursday morning, was murdered between 10 p.m. and midnight, according to WWLTV. Her black 1998 Lexus LS 400 reportedly went missing after the murder.

Bryant's husband, who had been out of town when his wife was killed, arrived at the house before noon and was distraught, according to the WWLTV report. The couple got married last month, and Bryant celebrated her birthday with family on Wednesday night, WWLTV said. Police reportedly did not elaborate on the conditions of the children, ages 2 and 7, but said they were safe and healthy.

"We are still working on the motive of this," New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley told reporters. "We do have some limited information and limited information relative to leads at this time, but it's still very early at this point."

Police said they were not sure if Bryant knew the killer, but they did say that there was no sign of forced entry, according to WWLTV. Forensics swept through Bryant's house on Thursday, and relatives and neighbors also went to the residence.

"We've not drawn any conclusions," Assistant New Orleans Police Superintendent Marlon Defillo told WWLTV. "We've not made any elimination. As the day progresses, we hope to learn more, but it's a work in progress."

Mannie Fresh (real name: Byron O. Thomas) — a legendary producer who claims T.I.'s "Big Things Poppin' " as his latest hit — was reportedly on his way back to his native New Orleans from Texas.

"If you see someone without a smile today, give them one of yours!"