Three deaths in an August arson fire at a home in the South Side Back of the Yards neighborhood have now been ruled homicides after final autopsy results were announced for Dorise Anderson.
The aftermath of a fatal fire in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on Aug. 27, 2016. | Chicago Fire Department
Two people were found dead after the fire in the 5400 block of South Laflin was extinguished about 2 a.m. Aug. 27, Chicago Fire Department officials said at the time. They were identified as 61-year-old Tommie Darling and the 55-year-old Anderson, who both lived in the home.
Autopsy results for Anderson were initially pending, but later found she died from thermal injuries and inhalation of products due to a house fire, the Cook County medical examiner’s office confirmed Saturday. Her death was ruled a homicide.
A previous autopsy found the same causes of death for Tommie Darling, and his death was also ruled a homicide.
A third person who also lived at the home, 58-year-old Danny Darling, was pronounced dead at 11:15 a.m. Oct. 8 at Stroger Hospital, according to the medical examiner’s office. An autopsy found he died of complications from thermal injuries from the house fire, and his death was also ruled a homicide.
Investigators with CPD’s Bomb and Arson Unit determined someone intentionally started the blaze, and have classified the case as a homicide investigation, police said. No one has been charged.
—Chicago Sun-Times Wire