‘Suspicious death’ in KC’s Northeast side ruled a homicide, police say

Police are now investigating the suspicious death of a woman whose body was found inside a burning house early Sunday as a homicide, according to a news release from Kansas City police.

Firefighters were initially dispatched to the 1600 block of Elmwood Avenue in Kansas City’s Northeast side around 8 a.m. Sunday on reports of a house fire, said police spokesman Sgt. Phillip DiMartino in the release. While extinguishing the fire, first responders found an unresponsive woman in the home.

After the woman was removed from the home, firefighters observed the woman had injuries that “may not be consistent with fire injuries alone,” according to a press release from Kansas City police Capt. Jake Becchina.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

KCPD’s bomb and arson unit and Kansas City firefighters are working together to determine the cause of the fire.

The incident was initially classified as a “suspicious death,” but was reclassified as a homicide Monday, according to the press release.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

The Star’s Noelle Alviz-Gransee contributed reporting.