Spokane, WASH. — The Spokane County Medical examiner updated the cause and manner of death for Marilyn Haugen, whose body was found in a home after the Upriver Fire.
The cause is noted as ‘presumed thermal injuries and smoke inhalation’ and the manner was ‘accident.’
Her body was found on the 7000 block of East Columbia Court in Spokane, WA on June 17th, but her official cause of death was not confirmed until today.
The Upriver Fire leveled 14 homes on June 16th. Marilyn was the only reported death.
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office detectives, Fire District 9 fire investigators, and Forensic Unit personnel located the remains at the home after a family member reported that a resident had refused to leave despite a Level 3 Evacuation Alert and could not be reached.
On June 16 when the fire happened, deputies and Spokane Police officers say they entered the unlocked home at approximately 2:30 p.m. to urge evacuation but received no response. They were ordered to withdraw as the fast-moving fire advanced on the area.
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