Second Arrest Made In Death
Of WKU Student

May 13, 2003

Bowling Green, Ky. - A second arrest has been made in connection with the May 4 residence hall fire that resulted in the death of Western Kentucky University student Melissa K. Autry.

Stephen Soules, 20, of Scottsville has been charged with capital murder and lodged in the Warren County Regional Jail, according to WKU Police Chief Robert Deane. Deane made the announcement during a Tuesday morning news conference.

Soules was arrested about 11 p.m. Monday. Deane would not comment on specific details other than Soules had no apparent connection with the University.

On Sunday Deane announced that Lucas B. Goodrum, 21, of Scottsville was arrested early Sunday. He also has been charged with capital murder and remains in the Warren County Regional Jail under $1 million cash bond.

Autry, 18, a freshman from Pellville, Ky., suffered third-degree burns in a fire in her Hugh Poland Hall room shortly after 4 a.m. May 4. The fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system and Autry was rescued by Bowling Green firefighters. She was taken to the Medical Center at Bowling Green and transferred later that morning to Vanderbilt University Hospital.

Autry died at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday at Vanderbilt.

The investigation is being led by WKU Police in cooperation with the Kentucky State Police, Kentucky State Fire Marshal's Office, Bowling Green Fire Department, Bowling Green Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

-WKU-