Kelly Rea Cummings Obituary, Death – Authorities in Monroe County have confirmed the identity of a woman who was discovered deceased in the aftermath of a fire that destroyed a building in Albia last month. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported that the victim was 61-year-old Kelly Rea Cummings, a resident of Albia.
The fire occurred on July 14 at the R.O. Cramer building, located along the Albia town square. The blaze was described as large and destructive, prompting an immediate evacuation of the building as emergency crews worked to contain the flames. The damage was extensive, leaving the structure uninhabitable and prompting a full investigation into both the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the discovery of human remains.
Authorities stated that the remains were located the day after the fire, during a search of the burned property. Once found, they were sent for autopsy to determine the identity of the victim and the cause of death.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, preliminary autopsy results revealed that Cummings had died of natural causes before the fire began. This finding suggests that her death was not a result of the fire or smoke inhalation. Based on these results, investigators currently believe that Cummings’ death and the blaze are unrelated events.
Despite ruling out a direct connection between Cummings’ death and the fire, authorities are continuing to investigate both incidents. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and officials have not stated whether they suspect it was accidental or intentionally set. Fire investigators are reviewing physical evidence from the scene, interviewing witnesses, and examining possible ignition sources in hopes of pinpointing exactly what sparked the blaze.
The R.O. Cramer building, a known fixture on the Albia town square, has been left heavily damaged, and its loss has affected residents and businesses in the area. Community members have expressed shock and sadness over the events, particularly given the unusual circumstances of finding a deceased person during the aftermath of the fire.
The Sheriff’s Office has not indicated whether Cummings was a resident of the apartment where she was found or if she had any connection to other tenants in the building. It remains unclear how long she had been deceased prior to the start of the fire. Authorities are awaiting final autopsy and toxicology reports, which may provide more detailed information about her health and the exact timeline of her passing.
While the investigation into the fire continues, officials have stressed that there is no indication of a public safety threat at this time. They are encouraging anyone with information about the fire to come forward to assist in determining its cause.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is expected to release additional updates once both the fire investigation and the full post-mortem analysis are complete. For now, the community continues to mourn the loss of Cummings while also seeking answers about the devastating blaze.
