Littleton – Investigators continued looking for clues Thursday into how 13-year-old Jessica Meyer died inside the burning garage of her family’s home.
Deputy Fire Marshal Rick Young and his explosion/bomb dog, Chester, combed the house looking for accelerants or any other materials to determine how the fire started.
Authorities haven’t determined whether the fire was accidental or whether foul play was involved.
“When you have any death, especially a death of a child, you don’t want to get focused in one area too quickly,” Sgt. Sean Dugan said. “There were no red flags. There was nothing readily apparent to lead us in any direction.”
Detectives are interviewing Meyer’s friends and asking them what her mood was like Wednesday, Dugan said.
An autopsy is scheduled this morning to determine the cause of death.
Meyer was alone in the house when the fire broke out. Her parents were working at the time and her 15-year-old brother was at a neighbor’s house, authorities said.
“He’s upset. This was his sister,” Dugan said.
Firefighters found Meyer in the course of putting out the flames about noon Wednesday in the 8000 block of South Logan Drive. Her body was found on the garage floor.
Mary Dameron, Lyn Fowler and Carl Anderson, all nurses for the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office who work for Meyer’s mother, Elaine, also a nurse, came to the house with bouquets of flowers and a plush, stuffed Rottweiler.
“I just met her once,” Dameron said of Jessica. “Her mom always spoke proud of her like any parent would. We are here for comfort, to let her know we care.”
Meyer had just completed eighth grade at Powell Middle School.
Littleton Public Schools spokeswoman Diane Leiker said school officials are organizing a day and time to have counselors available for grieving students even though classes are dismissed for the summer.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-820-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
