A young woman dies as a result of arson In the early morning hours of September 12, 1993, a fire broke out at the Kendallville, Indiana home of 27-year-old Sherri L. Pearson. A neighbor noticed smoke pouring from the windows of the Garden Street residence at approximately 4:30 a.m. and alerted the authorities. Firefighters who responded to the scene estimated that the house had been smoldering for at least 45 minutes before their arrival.
Inside the home, they discovered Sherri's body on the living room floor; she had died from smoke inhalation. Fortunately, her two young children, ages one and three, were not home at the time and were staying with their father, from whom Sherri was separated.
Initially, investigators believed the fire to be a tragic accident caused by faulty wiring. However, within a week, the investigation took a dark turn as the fire was officially ruled an arson and Sherri's death a homicide. Indiana State Fire Marshals discovered that a flammable liquid had been poured in several areas throughout the house, confirming the fire was deliberately set. Adding to the sinister nature of the crime, it was found that the batteries had been removed from the smoke alarm in the home.
An autopsy revealed an even more disturbing detail: prior to the fire, Sherri had been injected with a 'foreign substance.' Investigators theorize that her attacker drugged her before setting the house ablaze. Despite being drugged, it appears Sherri struggled to escape, managing to make her way to the living room before being overcome by the smoke. The case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Sherri L. Pearson. Authorities continue to ask for anyone with information to come forward.
