Coroner delays funerals for Mississippi elderly couple killed in house fire in attempt to address ‘unanswered questions’

Funeral services for an elderly Mississippi couple have been put on hold as investigators work to gather more facts about the house fire that claimed their lives on Sunday afternoon.

Crowder residents Mary King and Nelson King perished when their home at 131 Love Avenue caught fire.

Coroner Christopher Gulledge announced that new information surfaced earlier this week, leaving unanswered questions about the couple’s deaths. Initially, their bodies were released to Skeeter Robinson Funeral Home in Grenada. However, Gulledge took the unusual step of halting the funeral proceedings.

“I called the funeral home and put a stop to services or any activity for now,” Gulledge stated. “Our office will take them back into possession, and they are going down for an autopsy next week.”

Panola County fire investigator Matt Hubbard’s findings suggested that a further forensic examination of the bodies is necessary. At this time, no one has been charged with arson or any other crime related to the case.

Skeeter Robinson Funeral Home, where the Kings’ remains were initially taken, has not listed any information about the couple on their website. The community awaits further developments as the investigation continues.