***UPDATE*** The Fresno County Coroner's Office has identified the body found in a burned barn in Squaw Valley. It is the woman detectives suspected, Amee Nichols, 54 years old. A cause of death has not still not been determined and her death remains classified as "questionable."
On Sunday March 22, 2015, at about 12:47 AM, Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputies were summoned to the scene of structure fire due to a subject possibly being inside the burning structure.
The fire was located in the 44000 block of Sand Creek Rd., Squaw Valley. Firefighting personal from the Mountain Valley Volunteer Fire Department arrived and while extinguishing the fire, located charred human and animal remains inside. The structure was a barn converted into a living area.
Nichols lived in the structure and was heard within the barn around 7:00 pm the previous evening (March 21, 2015).
At the outset of the fire multiple explosions were heard in the neighborhood coming from the fire. A light colored SUV was also seen stopped in the area of the fire with subjects running towards and away from the burning structure. It is suspected the vehicle stopped to assist. When Fire personal arrived at the scene minutes later, the SUV and its occupants were gone.
A joint investigation involving Cal Fire, Fresno County Sheriff’s Homicide and Coroner investigators has been initiated. Cal Fire is investigating the origin and cause of the fire while Sheriff’s and Coroner personnel are attempting to identify the human remains, cause of death, manner of death and other aspects of the investigation. Investigators would like to contact the occupants of the SUV for their observations of the fire.
The investigation is continuing at this time. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this incident or the identity of the occupants of the SUV to please call the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office or Detective Jose Diaz at (559)600-3111 or (559)600-8206.
