Police in the Racine County Village of Mount Pleasant are investigating a fatal Christmas fire as a homicide. Chief Tim Zarzecki says the young woman found in the burning home did not live at the residence, which was listed as vacant.
Zarzecki says, based on interviews, they have “an idea” who the victim was but it may take time to confirm her identity using DNA and possible dental records.
He says the department has a person of interest in the case.
Firefighters were called to a one-story structure just after 12:20 on Christmas morning. When they arrived, there were flames and heavy smoke pouring from the house. It took crews about 15 minutes to find the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Janet Hoff-WRJN