JACKSONVILLE — Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating after a mother and her four young children were found dead inside a duplex where firefighters were called out early Thursday morning.
Jacksonville police later identified the victims as 30-year-old Marilyn Beavers, Dequan Singleton, 10, Sydni Singleton, 9, Haylee Beavers, 6, and 4-year-old Emily Beavers.
Jacksonville Fire Battalion Chief Bob Thornton says firefighters were called to the Max Howell duplex around 6 a.m. Thursday by a neighbor who reported smelling smoke. Thornton says no one answered the door and firefighters using thermal imaging did not detect any signs of a fire from outside the apartment. He says they left without entering the apartment.
Thornton says a maintenance worker discovered the bodies an hour later.
Capt. David Jones said crews responded to the duplex at 3A Simmons Street about 7:30 a.m.
The fire had already burned out and the victims were found dead inside, Jones said. They are believed to have died of smoke inhalation, though it is still under investigation.
Thornton says there were no indications of foul play, and that multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating.
Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
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Information for this article was contributed by Arkansas Online, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Associated Press.