Suspicious Death On Archer Avenue

On March 9, 2008, at 8:58 a.m. the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department received a call reporting a fire at a home which is located in the 7900 block of Archer Avenue. When firefighters arrived and extinguished the flames, they discovered the body of the home’s 73-year old female resident inside the house. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Arson investigators immediately determined the woman’s death and the fire’s origin were suspicious in nature and requested Sacramento County Sheriff’s Homicide Investigators respond to the scene.

Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives arrived and initiated an investigation. Investigators learned the victim’s 77-year old husband had returned home from work and discovered smoke coming out of his residence. He was unable to enter due to the smoke and heat coming from inside the house.

Sheriff’s Detectives will treat the case as a suspicious death until Arson Investigators determine if the fire was intentionally set and until the Coroner’s office determines the cause of the victim’s death.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to call the Sheriff’s Department at (916) 874-5115, or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00.

Sergeant Tim Curran,
Sheriff's Spokesman