The Dalton Police Department is investigating a house fire as a homicide and arson after firefighters discovered a woman dead inside a burning home early Saturday morning.
Dalton Fire responded to the fire at 313 S. Grimes Street at 5:47 a.m. Firefighters found the victim’s badly burned body while searching the house. Because of the suspicious circumstances, the DPD, Whitfield County Coroner’s Office, and the state fire marshal’s office were called to assist.
Authorities have identified a person of interest in the case, who was located in Kentucky driving the victim’s vehicle. During a pursuit by the Kentucky State Patrol, the individual fled, crashed the vehicle, and later died from injuries sustained in the crash. Officials have not yet released the identities of either the victim or the person of interest, pending positive identification and next-of-kin notifications.
Investigators say a woman contacted police after her brother allegedly told her he had killed his girlfriend at the Grimes Street residence, requesting a welfare check. Police had already identified the individual as a person of interest. The victim’s vehicle was reported stolen and entered into a national database before it was located by Kentucky authorities.
The DPD Crime Scene Unit has delayed entering the home to allow toxic fumes to clear before conducting a full investigation. The case remains under active investigation.