Crime & Safety
Austin Police ID Woman Who Set Herself On Fire
After interviewing witnesses and viewing a video, police determine death of Mary Beth Rohling, 41, resulted from self-immolation.
SOUTH AUSTIN, TEXAS — Police on Friday identified a woman initially reported to have been set on fire earlier this week, determining her death was due to self-immolation.
Austin-Travis County EMS medics tweeted about the incident that took place just past midnight on Dec. 17 along the 7800 block of Epping Lane. By the time medics and fire crews arrived, they found the victim covered with severe burns. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Friday, the Austin Police Department identified the woman as Mary Beth Rohling, 41. In conducting interviews, police said detectives learned the woman had intentionally set herself on fire. As part of their evidence gathering, police learned of a video confirming the self-immolation.
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FINAL: #ATCEMSMedics responded to ~7800 Epping Ln (00:07) for reported "Person set on fire" and have obtained one Deceased On Scene pronouncement of ~30s female. No additional info. EMS clearing the scene.
— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) December 17, 2018
"Rohling was alone at the time," police wrote in a press advisory, "and there is no indication that there was anyone else involved in her death." The official Travis County Medical Examiner’s report is pending, police added.
Related story: Woman Dead After Being Set On Fire: Austin EMS
Find out what's happening in South Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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