Crime & Safety
UPDATE: Victim Found Dead In Moss Street Home After Fire Identified
The body of a 58-year-old woman was found in the 19 Moss St. house after a fire was reported Wednesday morning.
PAWCATUCK, CT — A woman was found dead inside a home at 19 Moss St., in Pawcatuck, the scene of an early morning fire, Stonington Police Department Deputy Police Chief Todd Olson told Patch.
Thursday afternoon, Olson told Patch the victim found dead was58-year-old Diane Mary Gillece. Olson said the fire is still under investigation and that Gillece's cause and manner of death won't be known until toxicology results are provided. That could take weeks, he said.
Olson also noted that there is "nothing suspciious at this time."
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Two people were taken to the hospital for possible smoke inhalation, Olson, who was first on the scene, said.
A 911 call came in at 9:26 a.m. from the residence reporting the house filling up with smoke, Olson said. Three people were inside at the time, Olson said.
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He said that a fire may have begun in the kitchen and the damage to the house is "mostly from smoke." At around 11:30 a.m., Olson said the state fire marshal and Stonington police detectives were on the scene investigating.
"This is a fire scene, and we're (the Stonington police) assisting," Olson said at around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday. "It's not a criminal investigation at this point, but you never know. Things can change," he said.
Both the Pawcatuck and Westerly (RI) fire departments responded.
The 19 Moss St. home is owned by Scott M. Gifford and Diane M. Gillece, according to the Stonington tax collector.
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