Sheriff: woman set fire to home before shooting self in McDonald County

MCDONALD COUNTY, Mo. (KOAM) - Authorities release more information about a fatal fire in Anderson, Missouri.

According to the McDonald County Sheriff's Office, "After a thorough investigation, the preliminary findings indicate that 52-year-old Gena McCormick intentionally set the fire to the building where she was living, then fatally shot herself."

Sheriff Evenson states there has been no evidence of foul play involving any other person located at the scene at this time. Authorities tell the public there's no ongoing danger to the community.

"We would like to express our condolences to the family of Ms. McCormick in this time of loss," states Sheriff Evenson in a release.

Fire / Death Investigation

McDonald County Detectives, along with the Anderson Police Department, Anderson Fire Department, Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office and the Missouri State Hwy Patrol investigated the structure fire.

Emergency personnel responded to the fire in Anderson, Missouri at 710 Park Street in the early morning hours of July 1, 2024.

Anderson Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire with the help of Pineville and Goodman Fire Departments.

During the overhaul of the fire ground, they found the body of an adult female inside the structure. After the McDonald County Coroner took possession of the body, an autopsy was scheduled for later that day.

While personnel from the Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office investigated cause of the fire, Detectives from the McDonald County Sheriff's Office along with the Anderson Police Department investigated the cause of death.

The autopsy was conducted in Ozark Mo, with a Trooper from the Investigation Division (DDCC) of the Missouri State Hwy Patrol in attendance.

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