Body Identified from 2013 Car Fire

TYLER – Smith County authorities say they’ve identified a body found in a burning car over eight months ago as that of a woman from Dumas who had committed suicide. On May 23, 2013, shortly after 6 a.m., firefighters responded to a call of a burning vehicle on County Road 3101 near the Jackson Heights area in Smith County. At the scene, they found a four-door car that was burning, but the majority of the blaze had self-extinguished. Smith County Sheriff’s deputies also responded to the scene and after a close inspection found the remains of a person inside the vehicle. At the time, it could not be determined whether the person was male or female. The body was sent to Dallas for an autopsy and identification.

According to a Smith County Sheriff’s Office news release, DNA testing has since determined that the person in the vehicle was Janet Bagwell McVickers, 62. An in-depth investigation determined that she expired as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No foul play is suspected. The firearm was recovered in the debris in close proximity to the victim. Officials say no additional information is being released in this case.