Local News
Victims killed in Greer house fire identified
GREER, S.C. — The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has formally identified three individuals who lost their lives following a residential fire Thursday night in the Boiling Springs area.
The victims have been identified as 57-year-old Julianne Marie Burgess, 70-year-old Laura Ellen Brysacz—both residents of the home—and Brysacz’s three-year-old great-granddaughter, Piper Rubi McCullough.
According to the coroner’s office, Burgess and McCullough died as a result of inhalation of products of combustion and thermal burns sustained during the fire.
The official manner of death for all three victims remains pending as investigators work to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
Emergency crews with the Boiling Springs Fire District were dispatched to the residence on Sugar Creek Lane at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a significant structure fire. Despite their efforts, three occupants were later confirmed deceased.
Fire officials stated that the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. However, preliminary observations suggest the home may not have been equipped with functioning smoke detectors, which could have contributed to the fire growing undetected.
Chris Camacho, a representative with the fire department, noted that neighbors did not report hearing any smoke alarms, and none were audible when crews arrived on scene.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office, in coordination with fire investigators and law enforcement, continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further findings are expected as the investigation progresses.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.