Pettis County Sheriff investigating fire deaths as homicides
The Pettis County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Tuesday that they are investigating the deaths of two people found inside a burning home as homicides.
Investigators identified the victims as 56-year-old Barbara A. Hudson and her 26-year-old son, Jeremiah A. Hudson.
Autopsies were performed on the two victims Tuesday in Boone County, but no cause of death was immediately released. However, sources told ABC 17 News the victims had sustained physical injuries prior to the fire and the victims died of “foul play.”
Investigators are still looking into how and where the fire was started, but they do know it was intentionally set.
Authorities from Pettis County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Drug and Crime Control Unit are investigating the crime.
Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond activated the West Central Missouri Major Case Squad to assist in the investigation as well. That means more than 30 investigators will work on the investigation.
The Major Case Squad has no leads on suspects just yet.
According to a news release Monday, the bodies were found by the Green Ridge Fire Department and LaMonte Fire Department during the investigation into a morning fire on Morton Road.
Crews were first called to the scene around 9:30 a.m., but the bodies weren’t found until a walk-through of the scene around 1 p.m.
Pettis County CrimeStoppers also offers a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest by calling the CrimeStoppers Tips Hotline at 660-827-TIPS (8477) or texting a tip to 660-281-6501.
Stay with ABC 17 News and abc17news.com for updates.
