AUTOPSY AND INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS ON THE DEATH OF CHIEF NEGOTIATOR

08/23/02 | Harris County Medical Examiner's Office, Houston Fire Department Fire/Arson Investigations

[COB1]

"There is no excuse, imo, for the p1ss poor job that was done on this case. :)))))"

If there were any way possible for me to agree more, I'd do it!!
This whole thing stinks to high heaven!
The coroner's notes say that the investigators "smelled gasoline".
That's ALL!
Sheeeeesh!

[sailor4321]

That would be my guess. Or, an outlet with aluminum parts being used with copper wiring. See my post 54 for our experience....

[bonfire]

Thanks for the ping, care. This is all still so sad and frustrating. Has anyone heard how Mrs. Chief is doing?

Thanks for this info, COB1.

[Helix]

Hi COB,
I haven't seen you in awhile. I'm glad they finally got the report out, but wish they had been able to determine the cause of the fire. I still pray for all involved.

BUMP

[COB1]

I wish I could tell you that the neighbor is locked up, but I don't really know.
He was supposed to have a court hearing about two months ago for beating his elderly landlord nearly to death, but I haven't heard how that came out.

[Dog Gone]

The house appears to be of that vintage.

I hope this was nothing more than a terrible accident. I can't believe anyone would truly want to murder my friend. I also don't understand why he didn't escape. He was no fool.

[sailor4321]

It says they smelled gas, not gasoline.

[rwfromkansas]

Well, people can spontaneously burst into flames (very rare though), but this is definitely not one of those cases since the entire room was burned and not just a small area.

I hope his murderer is discovered.

[COB1]

"Has anyone heard how Mrs. Chief is doing? "

Mrs. Chief is not doing well at all.
She has a broken shoulder and she's in ill health.

AlwaysWatching, if you're lurking, you might fill us in.

[DainBramage]

"The investigators.. (crossed out).. smelled gas at scene"

Does it say gasoline or gas. Big difference. I've made many fires where a natural gas leak had caused an quick hot initial fire. Alot of older houses have gas wall heaters and the valves leak.

The crashing sound could have been the window glass shattering as the heat in the room went past tolerances. It happens often.

[COB1]

"It says they smelled gas, not gasoline."

You're absoutely right, sailor.
I got that from another conversation and I can't authenticate it.

[lewislynn]

Even if the house is older than the aluminum period, it's possible it was remodeled or added on to in that time frame...

Aluminum wiring in your home, as you pointed out, is a real potential killer. BTW, there would likely never have been any warnings or disclosures at the sale of this house. I believe the house has always been in the family.

[MistyCA]

The coroner's report that I have says that the fire started in the kitchen! LMAO! I called him on it and all he could do was stammer and sputter and say he would possibly have to change it. However, the copy of the report I got was not changed. The guy screwed up, imo.

[piasa]

Swelling and discoloration are consistent with burns... the head can end up bigger than a basketball.

[MistyCA]

They were referring to gasoline.

[Freedom2specul8]

"He was supposed to have a court hearing about two months ago for beating his elderly landlord nearly to death"

?Oh my Gosh, Lord please bring forth justice for the Chief! This sounds like the idea about the neighbor might just be true..

[philman_36]

There is marked singeing with reddish discoloration of the hair...
What the hell would/could cause the discoloration?
Sorry, just thinking out loud, as it were.

[Barnacle]

The breakers could have tripped due to heat from the fire melting the insulation causing the wires to short out.

[COB1]

"Did the autopsy report burns to the hands or arms? Were there any burns even noted in the autopsy and if so what degree?"

Phil, the autopsy report is replete with descriptions of skin "sloughing" and "dermis showing".
Herb was burned badly all over with second and third degree burns, including his hands and arms.

[Libertina]

Thanks for the report, Cob. I still have a hard time believing that his death was accidental.
Because it was not. And the if the FIRE was not accidental, how could the death be? This smells reeks! I am so sorry for Mrs. CN.