h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On Wednesday May 12, my 16 year-old step-niece Jessica died in a house fire in Kenora, Ontario.

We don't yet know all the details. Any information is coming to us piecemeal. The forensics hasn't finished its job. Her remains (a handful of teeth) may not be enough to satisfy the coroner that it is her. They have said they may need to do a DNA test to officially make the identification. They know it is her, but because it is a criminal investigation, they can't make the identification officially.

All this has made things very stressful for the whole family.

Until the remains are officially identified, they cannot release them to the family, and the family cannot put Jesssica to rest.

The events seem to have transpired like this.

Jessica (who is the step-sister of my sister's daughter, also called Jessica. They have the same last name, too, which confuses the issue), who was living with her aunt in Kenora. She and a friend had decided, on a lark, to spend the night in an abandonned house. They left their homes to go to school in the morning. After school (or possibly they played hookey from school), they went to the abandonned house, which appears to have been someplace they passed onthe way home.

The friend decided to go home to get some blankets so they could spend the night. When she went home, she was caught. Her parents then took her to the house to get Jessica. When they got there, the house was afire.

They called the fire, ambulance and police. It was too late.

There are a lot of unanswered questions. Was she asleep when the fire broke out? Why was she asleep? How did the fire break out so quickly between when the friend left and the parents arrived? Was it arson? If it was arson, was she alive before the fire broke out.

Apparently, they has been drinking a bit, which might explain why she didn't smell smoke and didn't get out....

Jessica was the sweetest kid. She was 16, but like nost kids, 16 going on 20. She spent several weeks here in Ottawa last summer with my niece Jessica, with whom she was very close.

I hadn't had a chance to meet her before, but during her visit, found her to be very funny and with hopes and dreams. It is all such a horrible shock. "Little Jessica" came to visit at a time when things were a little strained for the family, and really cheered "Big" Jessica no end.

She took charge of "Big" Jessica's two children during the day, and became very close with them. Jessica will have to explain to them what has happened...

http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/HTML%20files/newsfront.html

I will update as we find things out.

for Jessica

for you

much love,
az

Oh, Mudhooks, how awful for you! I am so sorry to hear about it.

That's just terrible Much love to you all.

Thank you...

That is absolutely dreadful news. I hope that all involved can come through this one day and that they come together to comfort each other in such trying times.

much love and my thoughts are with you and the family.

Heavens. What a terrible thing to happen. My thoughts are with you and Jess' family at this time.

It's so sad when someone is lost so young. I know there are no right words to say but you have my deepest sympathy.



Noggin

They officially identified Jessica's remains about an hour ago. Now, at least, the family can start making plans for memorial service, etc.

I have a photo of Jessica.

http://public.fotki.com/Mudhooks/family_and_friends/jess.html

Here is another news story. There is a video of the report.

http://www.tbtv.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=67260

The video doesn't appear to be working...

Jeez, Mudhooks, what a horrible, horrible thing to happen. Sorry for your loss. Be strong for your family and remember Jess fondly.

What a lovely girl... I hope you find out what happened, for your peace of mind. It's so sad when a young person dies...

It is really frustrating. Neither Thunder Bay, Port Arthur of Kenora seem to have much in the way of up-to-date news sources. As a result, short of phoning relatives who are grieving every few hours for updates that may or may not be forthcoming from the police, etc., we are dependent on next to non-existent media coverage.

My niece, at least has made her flight arrangements. She and her partner will be going to Fort William which is where her father and Jess' mother live. That's where the memorial service is to be. Fort William is right next door to Thunder Bay.

The Winnipeg Sun report on Jessica's death. http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/News/2004/05/17/462517.html

It describes her as "troubled".

I guess, having been shuffled from relative to relative and being so far from the people in whom you trust and confide, will do that. It also says she left a note before "running away" that said that she wanted to "quit drinking". She was 16 for God's sake. she certainly wasn't drinking here last summer. I can only say that the adults in her life let her down and she paid the price.

What a horrible death.
What an awful shock for her family.

My sincere condolences to you all, and may Jess rest in peace.


AGB

Thank you.... She will be sorely missed.

hi sweetie, one more

Can't ever get too many.

And with thanks to you I am now also missing Jess. Without you I would never have met her. And I'm glad to have got to know her even just a little, through you.

kisses,
az

I'm sorry to hear of this tragic loss for you and your family, Mudhooks.