WKU Police Chief, BG Fire Chief
Brief Reporters On Poland Hall
Fire Investigation
May 08, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - The death of a Western Kentucky University student after a fire in her residence hall room has "stiffened the resolve" of investigators, according to WKU Police Chief Robert Deane.
"We're making a good-faith effort" to talk to everyone who might have information related to the Sunday morning fire in Hugh Poland Hall, Deane told reporters Thursday afternoon. Melissa K. Autry, 18, of Pellville, Ky., was found in her room by firefighters after the early-morning blaze was extinguished by the room's sprinkler system. She died at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday at Vanderbilt University Hospital.
Deane said water from the sprinkler and the fire destroyed some evidence and damaged other evidence. While that "does not help the investigation," Deane said investigators are continuing to process evidence from the room and several other locations. "This is a slow process," he said.
In addition, investigators are awaiting results of an autopsy performed in Nashville and are testing theories on the cause of the fire, Deane said.
Gerry Brown, chief of the Bowling Green Fire Department, said he is satisfied with the handling of the investigation, which includes one of the department's full-time investigators. "This is a very cumbersome and involved process," Brown said, adding that the investigators were determined and thorough.
When questioned by reporters, neither Deane nor Brown would comment on specific details of the investigation out of concern that it would compromise its integrity.
Deane, however, praised the agencies that have been assisting. Those agencies include the fire department, Kentucky State Police, Bowling Green Police, Kentucky State Fire Marshal's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Deane said WKU Police were leading the investigation because the fire was on university property. The other agencies "have been more than helpful," he said.
"This shows what a cohesive law enforcement community we have here in Bowling Green," Deane said. "We are going to do everything in our power to bring to justice the person who did this."
A $2,000 reward is being offered through the Bowling Green Police Department "Crime Stoppers" program. Crime Stoppers is offering $1,000 while WKU's Housing and Residence Life office is offering an additional $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. The number to call is (270) 781-CLUE.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Audio of part of the briefing is available from the WKU News Line at 1-888-CALL-WKU. Due to background noise, the quality of the recording is low, but understandable.
For more information, contact Bob Skipper at (270) 745-4295. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
