In the summer of 2016, a house fire in Calloway County, Kentucky, led to the discovery of a murder-arson case. The body of 51-year-old Linda Whittenberg of Murray was found inside the burned residence on Cedar Haven Road on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. An autopsy later revealed that the female victim had died as a result of two gunshot wounds.
Further investigation of the scene by Kentucky State Police uncovered the body of a man in the garage of the home.
The man's cause of death was determined to be from smoke inhalation and injuries he sustained during the fire. Authorities also located the body of a dog that had been shot. A necropsy was ordered to determine if the same weapon was used on both Whittenberg and the animal.
Based on the preliminary investigation, police stated they believed the incident was isolated and that there was no ongoing threat to the community. They indicated that if the male body found in the garage was identified as the person they suspected, he would be considered the likely suspect in Whittenberg's murder. Investigators also determined that the fire had been intentionally set, with several points of origin in different areas of the house and the detached garage.
Linda Whittenberg was born on January 19, 1965, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. She was described as a homemaker who was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She had a passion for her flowers and birds, and enjoyed activities such as crafting, fishing, and boating on the lake with her family and friends. She was survived by her husband of nearly 30 years, Matt Whittenberg, as well as her mother, father, two daughters, two sisters, three brothers, and three grandchildren.
