Police: Elderly woman found dead in fire was murdered
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CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) -
Police say an 89-year-old southwest suburban woman was murdered before her house was set ablaze Sunday, the Herald-News is reporting.
Crest Hill police Chief Dwayne Wilkerson said an autopsy performed Monday by the Will County Coroner's office showed Dorothy Dumyahn was the victim of a homicide.
"This is a very active investigation and we are keeping some things under wraps," Wilkerson said. "But it does appear she was killed and the fire was set to conceal (the crime)."
Around 8:50 a.m. Sunday, an off-duty Lockport Township firefighter was passing by in the 2300 block of Caton Farm Road when he saw the front of the ranch house in flames. He and responding firefighters were unable to reach Dumyahn until the fire was put out about 15 minutes later.
Dumyahn was pronounced dead at the scene. According to reports, she had lived alone in the house since her husband, Clarence, died eight years ago.
"There are no indications this was a random attack. We don't feel this incident is a concern for the neighborhood safety," Wilkerson said.
The Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force, which consists of detectives and evidence technicians from area police departments, is assisting Crest Hill police.
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