A woman dies as a result of arson
In the winter of 1986, a fire tore through a residence in Petersburg, Indiana, leaving a scene of devastation. Once the flames were extinguished, investigators made a grim discovery within the charred remains. The bodies of a female, Darla Stroh, and a 31-year-old male, Dennis Brumfield, were found inside the home. The date was December 7, 1986.
Authorities quickly determined that the fire was not accidental. An investigation concluded that the blaze was the result of arson, turning a tragic fire into a homicide case. Both Stroh and Brumfield were declared victims of the intentional act. The community was left with the unsettling knowledge that a fire had been deliberately set to take lives.
Despite the determination of arson and homicide, the case has remained unsolved for decades. The Indiana State Police list the deaths of Darla Stroh and Dennis Brumfield as a cold case. Information regarding any potential suspects or persons of interest has not been publicly released, and no arrests have been made in connection with the fire. The search for answers and justice for Stroh and Brumfield continues, with law enforcement appealing to the public for any information that might shed light on the events of that December day.
