Woman Found in Flames Outside High School Dies: Hospital

SOUTHOLD, NY — A woman found engulfed in flames outside Southold High School has died from her injuries, according to hospital officials.

"She has passed away," said a public information officer at Stony Brook University Hospital Monday.

After the tragedy unfolded on Jan. 5, administrators and staff focused on healing the young people who bore witness to the event.

"I am working right now to ensure that all of our students and the coaches who witnessed this terrible and tragic incident receive immediate and appropriate support," Southold School Superintendent David Gamberg said.

Southold Town Police identified the woman burned on the Southold High School baseball field as Jeanne Caufield, 58, of Southold, authorities said.

According to Southold Town Police, authorities responded to multiple reports of a person on fire on the baseball field.

Upon arrival, officers found a "badly burned woman" on the athletic field, police said.

Southold Fire Department Chief Engineer Jim Rich said students on an athletic team inside the school saw the woman and the flames through the window.

First responders at the scene will also receive post critical incident grief counseling, he said. "It was a very difficult scene for our people," Rich said. "Very difficult."

Southold Fire Department Rescue responded and treated Caulfield, who was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital by helicopter, police said.

"Preliminary investigation indicates that the incident is not criminal in nature," police said.

The investigation is ongoing and will be conducted by the Southold Town Police Department's detective division.

Earlier, a Southold Town Police detective said an investigation was ongoing into how the woman had been burned; the incident took place around 6:30 p.m. "We don't know if it was self-inflicted," he said, adding, "It's leaning that way," he said.

Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley said the woman appeared to have been alone at the time.