Update: Cole County woman killed in house fire Read Comments
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By Mallory McGowin
Sunday, July 05, 2009 at 9:45 p.m.

Read more: Local

LOHMAN -- Update: Wednesday, July 7, 6:30 p.m.

There new information tonight on the house explosion in Cole County that killed a woman.

Within the last hour KRCG news confirmed that state investigators have determined that the explosion was intentionally set off.

The State Fire Marshal's office determined that a vapor explosion caused the blaze but since the house is not hooked up to a natural gas line or have propane lines attached investigators are now looking into what flammable liquid was in the home.

Cole County Sheriff Greg White said that fire investigators did not find any evidence of a meth lab or an explosive device.

An autopsy was completed Monday on the body pulled from the home but investigators won't confirm an identity until DNA testing in completed.

Teresa Amos, 44, owned the home.

Update: Monday July 6, 6:27 p.m.

Investigators are not talking about the results of today's autopsy on a Cole County woman who died in a house fire over the weekend.

And the questions remain as to what caused the fire and whether there was an explosion.

District Fire Chief Melvin Stubinger says it appears there was an explosion because of glass and debris scattered around the house.

Still, the chief says a large explosion would be odd because the house on Mount Hope Lane in Lohman did not have natural gas or propane lines attached.

Teresa Amos, 44, owned the home; however, investigators won't confirm if that's who died until DNA tests are completed.

Investigators brought dogs to the scene to sniff for accelerants.

Even so, the sheriff's department does not suspect foul play.

Updated: Sunday, July 5, 9:28 p.m.

A Cole County woman is dead Sunday after a fire Saturday night burnt her Lohman home to the ground.

The fire broke out just before 10 p.m. Saturday night.

Neighbors tell KRCG, as well as fire officials and sheriffs deputies, that they heard a loud explosion and then saw the house in flames.

Emergency crews worked until 6 a.m. Sunday morning taming the house fire.

The woman who lived here is Teresa Amos, 44.

Cole County Sheriff Greg White says an autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning.

White says investigators hope to know more about the cause of the fire and Amos' death after those results are in.

The State Fire Marshal's office is also investigating the source of that fire.

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21 Comments on this Story
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FRIEND

Posted by a n, central mo - Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 11:17 a.m.

It does not matter if you do or don't think I am talking about you. But the truth is the FRIEND nows who she is and what she did. Enough said.

Time to Heal

Posted by Teresa's Friend Truly, JC - Monday, December 07, 2009 at 9:23 p.m.

Lisa, you've said it all and so have I. I have something for you that I believe will help you undertand Teresa's state of mind, I hope it helps you to accept and heal, I am out of town so I will send it to you when I get back. I won't bother you here again.

WOW

Posted by Lisa Foley, Versailles - Friday, December 04, 2009 at 2:14 p.m.

Truly her friend..when I read your comment I was not going to responed but...thats not me so let me give you some facts!!! I am not going to air our familys dirty laundry but I also know there is always to sides to every story. Teresa was truly my sister I loved her unconditionally always. For the last 34 yrs I have been her sister threw it all the good, bad and the evil. Just about a week before she past she left a note on my desk that says...Sisters..sharing sectets, stories, hopes and dreams. That was the sister I had and still have. I dont know what she told other people about me it doesnt matter it wont change a thing...but I do know this not one time did I ever get the feeling from her that I stoled her son or kept him from her in any way. It was nothing like that she was welcome at my house always and we always did stuff together as a family. If she truly felt that way I am so sorry she did not talk to me about it. I talked to her on the phone everyday somedays 4 or 5 times. Most of the time I was in the middle between the two and I would do it again in a minute. Yes we argued about her oldest but... if she said anything about me its that I am very set in my ways and not very good at keeping my mouth shut...I know there was days when we really made each other crazy it happens. I will be the first to tell you she struggled with alot of issues in her head and yes alot of them were IMMEDIATE FAMILY!! Teresa and I did not see our family the same...but that never broke our bond. I have always looked up to her and was always proud of her. Teresa has accomplished more in her short 44 yrs than most people get to do in a life time..and in a place where women are not well recieved The Army. She was always a fighter and stood up for what she believed.
On March 2 we lost our dad there will always be a hole in my heart..then July 4 I lost the one person in my life who has always been there for me (and for sure you never know what you have until its gone) and my heart was ripped out. I know she loved me I will never question that no matter what is said. Ya I got Guilt so be it...there is always what ifs in life but I cant change it just try and do better. They say if it doesnt kill you it will only make you stronger I am truly finding that to be true. You know if she had issues with me so be it but one thing that I know for sure is she loved my kids and they are truly missing out with her not being a part of their lives. She always did special things for them. And I am sorry I cant except she is in a better place...she is missing out on so much.Bitter you bet..that my youngest cries for her Aunt Teresa.I dont want you to feel sorry for me no I am not the perfect one, yes I screwed up but why do you think for one minute I should have to crawl under some rock and keep my mouth shut, because it might drag a few people threw the mud so be it. Our family deserves to know the answers to the all the unknows. If she did it fine I can deal with that. If you think she did it there is alot that says yes life became to much for her so she planned it you say yes her family, military, kids, finances and pain daily BUT...things were starting to turn around for her all this time she had been fighting the military she had won, found out Wednesday she called to tell me the same day she was ok with her "boyfriend" moving on she said she just wanted to be happy..everyone keeps saying she had someone else so...she was moving on..she made plans for family pics all of us for Friday the 3rd one of her very good friends was coming to take the pic..so why drag them into it. She had made plans to meet a friend in AR so why even contact that person if you never planned to show up...why drag them into it. She bought her self a shirt for the fourth of July sometime on her way to AR, I wont begin to talk about the lies. Yes she could of snapped. I could go on for days with things that just dont add up but there is also alot that adds up so...where from here one day at a time and live it like its my last make sure I tell the ones I love how much I love them. There is nothing you or anyone else can say that will make this easy I have to learn to deal with it no matter if she flicked the match or someone else did. A.N. thank you for not staying quite. I want to say one last thing I have nothing to hide I am not scared and I cant nor will I speak for anyone else in my family yes I am disfunctional but I am not hiding from anyone. And my memory of her is not tarnished I have nothing but great memories and so does her family.

Guilt?

Posted by a n, central missouri - Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 10:07 p.m.

I don't have any guilt, I was not a personal friend of hers but read between the lines. She had everything going for her and so her close friends think she saw no other way out. What made her want out? I know if it was my family or friend I would want every outlying source looked at. This is too out there and it seems there is more that happened then just suicide. Who else knew things about her that could make it look like she wanted out, maybe she was over medicated prior to, who could set themselves on fire, you would have to be out of it to just sit there and burn or know what to do to get a house to explode. Who knew about explosives. This is something that should be looked at and it seems they just said suicide because the right people made that assumption and used her apparant history against the situation. I am not wanting to put her out there as a bad person, I think more should care about why this happened, whether it was intentional by her or someonme else her family deserves the peace to know what sent her over the edge or who put her there.

Not Who You Think

Posted by Teresa's Friend Truly, Jefferson City - Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 8:27 a.m.

You stated you will be judged, obviously I'm not who you think I am. I won't be judged trust me, I loved Teresa and she loved me, in friendship and trust. I am retired military and male, I've know Teresa for years and respected her, helped her through alot of physical and mental problems and accepted her for who she was, nothing else. Seems to me some of you sure love to push the blame off rather quickly, are we feeling quilty!!!

I want to throw up....

Posted by a n, central missouri - Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 12:30 p.m.

This is so sick. Maybe she chose to die this way, maybe not. but who in their right mind and love for her would be her best friend and the day after she dies the best friend asks for a divorce and then starts a relationship with the man Teresa loved. my gosh the whole town saw it and it is those who are guilty who act in that way and think they are invincible. that is sick, i could never start carrying on sexually with my best friend's husband after she died, that is not moral and guess what FRIEND. You will be judged. do you think just because you get your marriage anulled it makes it okay? that is the church's eyes and it is never the church's eyes that decides your marriage it is God. the church just makes it that way so it looks good in their eyes to commit adultery. SICK RELIGION. SICK FRIEND. SICK to use God's name for your benefit. Read your Bible and see what it says. God help you and all of us.

Her Memory

Posted by Teresa's Friend Truly, Jefferson City - Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 7:10 p.m.

Lisa I would never put blame to you or anyone else, believe me when I say this was Teresa's doing, it was her way out. She's in a better place than where she was, I loved her dearly but even I couldn't help her or stop her. I didn't say what I did to hurt you I was just making that facts known. I do not know why you question other peoples motives in this, she knew, trust me she did but she also excepted it. You can't choose who your friends love or not, but you see and believe, she did. I know she planned this, there was no other reason she got Cody so far away so there was no way he'd be there, she loved both her boys and always felt she lost Zachary to you, this was her only way of protecting Cody. Try not to be bitter, but accept it was her doing and her decision.

What you dont know

Posted by Lisa Foley, Versailles - Monday, November 23, 2009 at 8:35 a.m.

You can say all you want to try and hurt me...but nothing hurts me more than what I already struggle with everyday over and over in my head.I will be the first one to say I failed her. The issue with her older son I will not debate because he has been an adult for 6yr and he is the only one who truly knows their relationship. The one thing I will say is she sent him to live with us and I never kept him from her. The other thing I will say is when I got the phone call I knew she had done it..Its other peoples action that make me question what took place.

Her Memory

Posted by Teresa's Friend Truly, Jefferson City - Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 10:11 p.m.

Why is this being done to her memory!! Everyone who truly knew Teresa knew she had issues, why are you as family and friends questioning her, let her rest in peace. Yes, Teresa tried suicide before, yes she had military issues, yes she had issues with her personal life (including immediate family) and yes she had a lot of pain both physical and mental. We all know Teresa was capiable of this, I do believe this was her way out,your hurting her memory by trying to make more of it, let the poor child rest in peace, this is what she wanted. Two things you should know, she may not have had the "boyfriend" she once had, but she had someone else and her sister may be claiming someone else is stealing her son, but she always said that same sister stole her other son and that drove her crazy!!!! Everyone here has played a part in Teresa's mind state the day she did this.

cm

Posted by Central Missouri, Loham - Friday, November 20, 2009 at 1:49 p.m.

An Angel was taken from earth on July 4th. All that new her are troubled with how she was taken from us. Investagtors are waiting for the facts. Time will tell. Until then our Angel is watching you.

for her

Posted by M D, somewhere between here and there - Friday, November 20, 2009 at 11:02 a.m.

Know this. I support any investigation on why she did this. But let me tell you what i know of my friend. She loved God, and tried always to walk in his ways, she didnt always make it, as none of us do, but she tried harder than most. She was head strong and stubborn and boy she let you have it when she saw you doing something stupid, but she was one of the most tender hearted people i know, caring for the homeless and elderly. She knew no enemies yet struggled with relationships to those who were closest to her. To say she was a complete engima was an understatment. She was many things to many people. First and foremost she was a solider, yet she watched her body betray her everyday. She carried physical pain that was at times unbearable. She once said that she didnt know who she was if she wasnt a solider, why didnt she see she was so much more? We all failed her at one time or another, in little ways or in big. I know the piece I played, and you may think you know it, but you didnt know us, only she and I did. I look forward to the day when I can stand before God and her. I know my friend and she knows me. She searced constantly for peace and left us only with the answer that she was trying to find her peace, I guess she saw this as the only way? Say what you want to say, draw your conclusions... but we each played a part, family, friends, military... we each failed her in some way. Where do we go from here? I always said she was doing "Angels Work"... shouldnt we all be doing that? When you think of her.... do a random act of kindness, mend a broken heart, build a bridge in friendship, reach out to the homeless, be a listening ear, give til it hurts, sacrifice for others, forgive, love, spread God's word, or just simply .. pray...do it in God's name, do it in Teresa's name, she taught me love, strentgh, and faith .... i will not point fingers, i will not gossip, i will not fight, i will not claim to have understood what she felt.... in everything i do God... I do in offering of peace for my friend... in everything I do I do it in offering of healing for all of us she left behind.. and I pray that these words bring about more Angel's Work.... she would have liked that.

To: Little do you know..

Posted by m m, missouri - Friday, November 20, 2009 at 9:05 a.m.

I am family also and what little do you know. What kind of cold hearted person are you to judge her. Yes she tried suicide but she took pills. Think about that.. pills. Also when she took the pills..HELLO.. there was no notes. Did you know that? Look it up how many people commit suicide by fire? What you will find is that people die in fires of this nature because someone is trying to hide something. Our family is finding peace in that one day who ever harmed her or pushed her will stand before god.

anyone who wants to talk

Posted by Lisa Foley, Versailles - Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 7:47 a.m.

I will talk to anyone who wants to talk just send a e-mail to amostl4@yahoo.com and I will pass my phone number and other contacts on to you.

who

Posted by l d, central missouri - Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 10:48 p.m.

who are you talking to? i will talk to you, i think she did not commit suicide.

she did not do it

Posted by Lisa Foley, versailles - Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 4:20 p.m.

Look my number up in the phone book give me a call I would even meet you in a public place.

i know she didnt do it

Posted by L I, lohman - Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 2:39 p.m.

i would love to email you,but how do we know you are not one of them trying to get info?

she did not do it

Posted by Lisa Foley, Versailles - Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 1:10 p.m.

I am family... and we believe that they took her past and used it against her. It is so very frustrating to have no one listen to you. We have been saying this from the begining and the police wont listen because yes there was some letters but everything else doesnt add up. What is so sicking is she was her best friend and she betrayed her in the worst way but know she has it all her boyfriend and son. We will not give up until we find the truth they are still looking into her case so anyone that has any info anything no matter how small you think it is please e-mail me at amostl4@yahoo.com I am so glad there is someone else that feels the same as me.

Yes Intentional

Posted by L D, central missouri - Friday, November 13, 2009 at 6:16 p.m.

If the police are smart they will not close this case. I have talked to some and she was not as depressed as anyone can get. Everyone in the world has bad days but if you found out the ones you love were carrying on behind your back would it send you over the edge, maybe. Or would it be easier to just get rid of her. This is very sad and people need to know just becuase it is Lohman or Russellville does not mean evil does not happen and certain people are only out for themselves and their gratification. God bless her son and her.

As I said the first time, INTENTIONAL

Posted by A N, Central Missouri - Friday, November 13, 2009 at 5:53 p.m.

I don't even know who you are but I truly believe she had everything, a home, a career, a child and she thought a significant other and best friend. now the best friend and significant other are an item. that is just wrong and sick. This is how intentional bad starts. God help those that know what happened to her.

Little do you know..

Posted by G A, Central MO - Sunday, November 08, 2009 at 10:52 a.m.

Suicide- no? She left suicide notes....hello... this was not the first time she tried this
ask anyone that knew her

Intentional

Posted by A N, Central MO - Saturday, November 07, 2009 at 12:42 p.m.

That is right, intentionally set. Why? I think it should get a broader search at those that were closest to her. A friend, a boyfriend, neighbors, her son and look at what transpired after the explosion. Those closest usually know more and if she was depressed and thought of suicide they would now. Right? Someone wanted her gone, someone else that had military experience and someone that loved her so much but loved her boyfriend more and wanted him. This should not be closed. The ones you least expect are the ones guilty. Too many are carrying on her life and did so shortly after the explosion. Intenional? Yes? Suicide? No.

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