Investigation continues in death of Frances Jacobs
Peabody Police Chief Jeff Pohlman said his office, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the office of the state fire marshal are investigating the death Thursday of Frances Jacobs in her Peabody home on Elm Street.
"When she missed a long-standing weekly appointment to get her hair done, an individual went to her house to check on her at about 10 a.m.," said Pohlman. "No one answered the door, so the individual went to a neighbor's for help. The neighbor went in, found the house engulfed in smoke, and found her (Jacobs') body.
"He called the ambulance and fire department."
Jacob's body was taken to Sedgwick County Forensics Center for an autopsy. Pohlman said his office has not yet received official determination of cause of death.
"Preliminary investigation indicated she had a heart attack and was dead when the fire started," said Pohlman.
A second fire was noticed about 7:30 the next morning and Peabody firefighters were called back to the scene.
"We brought in the state fire marshal," said Pohlman. "His investigation indicated that hot ash from the day before had been imbedded in the insulation and started the second fire in the corner of a room next to the one where the original fire was."
At press time there still was no official word on the cause of death and funeral arrangements are pending. A complete obituary will appear in next week's Peabody Gazette-Bulletin.
