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I live near Memphis...this event has been the big story in the Mid-South area for the past three days. As others have pointed out, the exact cause of death has not been determined. Preliminary autopsy results indicate that Ms. Smith was alive when the fire began in her car. It's also worth noting that the fire apparently began in the car's passenger comparment--highly unusual for a car fire. The engine compartment ignited only after the car's interior burned. The gas tank remains intact--again, very unusual for a vehicle fire.

One more sidelight: one of the local TV stations (WREG, the CBS affiliate) went to the apartment complex where two of those Middle Eastern men lived. One of the men shared an apartment with another Middle Easterner, and had for at least the past six months. The roomate told the reporter he knew nothing of his friend's activites, including the trip to New York last September. And, something that's missing from the Reuters account, the dead license examiner purchased her car--the same one she died in--from one of the men now in custody.

One final note: TN drivers licenses are very attractive for criminals and terrorists. Last year, the state removed the requirement that applicants had to show a social security card to obtain a driver's license. Ironically, the legislature made this change specifically to "help" immigrants. Lawmakers need to close this loophole, but there's a lot of concern about how many licenses may have been obtained, and the potential involvement of other persons.

It's also worth noting that FBI involment in this case is growing expotentially. I have a few casual contacts in law enforcement. From what they know, this is now an FBI show, with only peripheral work from the TN State Police and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. One Memphis cop I know estimates there are "at least" 100 FBI agents working this case full-time, with more on the way.

There is growing suspicion--still not fully confirmed--that a possible Al Qaeda support cell was at work in the Mid-South. I'm not sure I ready to climb out on that limb (yet), but this is much more than an isolated criminal enterprise.

"the dead license examiner purchased her car--the same one she died in--from one of the men now in custody."

If this story is true, the car may have been payment for even worse deeds by this woman. I do believe this story is connected to something much, much larger, maybe a terrorist cell, maybe even a planned terrorist event. She knew to much! (...and probably got frightened when she found out what she was involved with)