Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Coroner: Ogden Dunes fire death ruled homicide

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The death of an elderly Ogden Dunes woman in a fire at her residence in April has been ruled a homicide.

On the morning of April 16, Wanda Maxine Wunder, 94, was found deceased upstairs in the bedroom of her home at 24 Diana Road, after the fire which had badly damaged the residence had been extinguished.

Cause of death, as determined by an autopsy: smoke and soot inhalation.

The manner of death, as Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris officially ruled after deadline on Wednesday: homicide.

“After collecting reports from all agencies involved in the investigation, it has been determined that the death be ruled a homicide,” Harris said.

According to the Ogden Dunes Volunteer FD, the fire was first observed by a neighbor who saw flames and advised the dispatcher that there was possibly someone inside the residence. “A son of Ms. Wunder was in the residence during the fire but escaped any injuries,” Harris said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, an Ogden Dunes police officer first on the scene attempted to enter the home to look for occupants but was met with heavy smoke. The officer was subsequently treated for smoke inhalation at Porter Regional Hospital.

Wunder was located in her bedroom after the fire was extinguished. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ogden Dunes Town Marshal Jim Reeder declined this morning to comment on his investigation of the fire, except to say that he’s waiting for the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to complete its review of his findings.

 

Posted 10/29/2015

 
 
 
 

 

 

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