The body found on Thursday, February 2, in a house fire in the 100 block of Jerome Street has been identified as Karen Shepp, 69, of Texarkana, Texas.

According to a press release from the Texarkana, Texas Police Department, an autopsy performed late last week revealed that Shepp died of natural causes prior to the fire that heavily damaged her house.  She is reported to have suffered from several serious long-term health issues. The Texarkana Fire Marshal conducted an investigation of the fire and determined that it was the result of electrical issues in the victim’s bedroom at the back of the house. Foul play is not suspected in either Shepp’s death or the fire.

Angela Waye
Angela Waye
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According to the report, a 911 caller stated that a house fire was in progress and that possibly someone was inside. The incident was reported around 3:35 PM on Thursday afternoon and when firefighters arrived, they could see flames and smoke already coming from the wood-frame house. The firefighters quickly made entry and found Shepp unconscious in the front hallway where she was immediately moved outside the house, and firefighters began lifesaving measures.  However, those proved unsuccessful and she was declared deceased at the scene.

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