PIGGOTT - A woman found dead in her burned home in Piggott died as a result of the fire and was not murdered, authorities said Thursday.
Clay County Coroner Paul Hoggard suspected Teresa Kirk, 40, was slain because a medical examiner found lacerations and bruises on her head. He ruled the death as suspicious in nature.
Firefighters first found Kirk in her duplex at 665 West Orr St. in Piggott when responding to a fire at 6 a.m. Monday.
Officials found her body in the kitchen, said Arkansas State Police investigator Phil Carter.
Police speculated the fire may have been caused by a cigarette.
An autopsy at the state Crime Laboratory indicated Kirk died of smoke inhalation, Carter said Thursday. Injuries on her head may have resulted when she fell while trying to get out of her house, he said.
Kirk had a party at her home the night before the fire, authorities said.
She had moved from Oregon to Piggott a few years ago and was living alone, police said.
"All indications are that she died of smoke from the fire," Carter said. "There's nothing that we can go on that says it was a homicide."
Arkansas, Pages 17 on 10/26/2007