According to Indiana State Police, the autopsy performed on a body recovered from a trailer fire last night in Salem, was unable to ID the body or provide information into the cause of death.
Earlier today, ISP Sgt. Jerry Goodin would not release information regarding the gender of the body, but some posts on social media believe the person was possibly a homeless male.
WSLM has not been able to confirm that with authorities.
An autopsy was performed this morning by the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville, KY on the human body found inside of the burnt mobile home located at 221 Teresa Street in Salem.
The autopsy was unable to determine the cause of death pending further test results.
Salem Fire Chief Tom Day said he was on the scene until early this morning with the Indiana State Fire Marshall to help investigate the crime.
Day said it would be a few days before a cause of the fire could be determined. “That information will be released by the state police,” said Day.
The autopsy was also unable to positively identify the human body located, until further tests are completed.
A Salem man was arrested last night for murder and arson involving a trailer fire in Southway Villa late Tuesday.
Joshua B. Risinger, 28, 221 South Teresa Street, was booked into the Washington County Detention Center last night.
The victim that was located inside of the mobile home has not yet been identified.
Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Jerry Goodin said this morning he cannot release details on the victim’s gender.
An autopsy will be performed by the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville, KY this morning to determine the cause of death and the identity of the victim.
The fire was reported at approximately 7:00 pm to the Salem City Fire Department. The fire was located at 221 Teresa Street in Salem.
According to the Salem Fire Department, the fire was “well involved” when the department arrived with “flames coming out the windows.”
After the fire was extinguished, a burned human body was located inside of the mobile home.
The owner of the residence, Risinger, was located at the scene and was interviewed by Indiana State Police Detectives.
The resulting information gathered from Risinger resulted in his arrest for Murder and Arson.
The Salem City Police Department was at the scene and requested Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigators and Indiana State Police Detectives to assist at the scene.
The Washington County Prosecutor, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Fire Marshall and the Washington County Coroner are assisting in the investigation.
