UPDATE: 3/29/19 7:25 p.m.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner has identified the individual who died in a fire at a residence located at 307 1/2 Arnold Ave. S., Thief River Falls, Minn., as Alexandra Jo Ellingson, 23. The medical examiner determined the cause and manner of death to be homicide due to asphyxiation.
A suspect in the case, Devon James Pulczinski, 23, was charged today in Pennington County with second-degree intentional homicide and first-degree arson. He is being held in the Pennington County Jail on $1 million bond with conditions or $10 million without conditions.
ORIGINAL STORY
Law enforcement officials are investigating an apparent arson and suspicious death at a residence located at 307 1/2 Arnold Ave. S., Thief River Falls, Minn.
A 911 caller reported a fire at the residence shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27. The home has two apartments, one on the lower level and the other on the upper level. The Thief River Falls Fire Department extinguished the fire and discovered a body in the upper-level apartment.
The cause and manner of death, and the identity of the female victim, will be released by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner following initial autopsy results.
A suspect in the case has been arrested on suspicion of arson and second-degree murder. Devon James Pulczinski, 23, was the renter at the residence and was booked into the Pennington County Jail.
Agencies involved in the response and investigation include the Thief River Falls Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff, Marshall County Sheriff, Minnesota State Fire Marshal, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents and crime scene team, and Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force.
This is an active and ongoing investigation.
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