Kirksey man charged with murder, arson in deadly Calloway County house fire
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
CALLOWAY COUNTY, Ky., (KBSI) — A Kirksey man has been arrested and charged with murder and first-degree arson following an investigation into a fatal house fire in May, according to the Calloway County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrested Jody M. Smith, 63, on June 17 after obtaining an arrest warrant stemming from an investigation that began after a residential fire on Saddlebrook Lane on May 19.
First responders arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames. During the investigation, authorities determined that Lisa Bebber died in the fire.
As the investigation progressed, detectives developed probable cause to believe the fire had been intentionally set by Smith, officials said.
Smith was taken into custody without incident and lodged in the Calloway County Detention Center.
He is charged with murder and first-degree arson, both Class A felonies.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The Calloway County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Calloway County Fire Rescue, the Calloway County Coroner’s Office, Kentucky State Police, the McCracken County Special Response Team and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.
