She walked into the lobby with something weighing heavier than the winter fire that took her son months ago. By the time she reached the front desk, she already knew what she needed to say — and what she feared she had found.
According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, a woman came in stating she had discovered what she believed to be human remains while cleaning up the debris from the RV fire that claimed her son’s life earlier this year. She told deputies she had shown the material to a family member who is a nurse, and that person reportedly agreed the remains appeared human.
She also told deputies she believed the county coroner had directed her to file a report. When officers contacted the coroner, he stated he had not advised her to come to the sheriff’s office, but confirmed he did have a meeting scheduled with her to review photos from the scene and examine the material she found. He reiterated that the victim from the January fire had already been identified through dental records.
The original fire happened just after midnight back in January. According to Rome Volunteer Fire Department reports, a passerby called 911 to report a camper fire along State Route 7 in the Village of Athalia. Police arrived to find the RV fully engulfed. Neighbors had told responders that someone likely lived inside.
Firefighters faced heavy flames that had already spread to vehicles and a nearby structure. Once crews made entry, they located a man deceased inside the residence. The fire chief also noted the discovery of what appeared to be the skeletal remains of a dog, and other dogs on the property were safely relocated.
With the new material now headed for review, investigators will take another look — but whether the debris represents anything beyond what was already recovered remains uncertain.
