The death of Sarah Gibbs, 34, in the Dec. 19 fire at 1031 E. Smith St., Warsaw, is now being investigated as a homicide by Warsaw Police Department. Gibbs was found deceased inside the residence.

Warsaw Police today received the preliminary coroner’s verdict following a forensic autopsy performed at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center, Fort Wayne. The results indicate the injuries sustained by Gibbs are not associated with the progression of the fire.

Kosciusko County Coroner Michael Wilson, advised, “These injuries are consistent with injuries associated with an assault by someone other than oneself.” These findings, along with the preliminary findings of the forensic pathologist, indicate Gibbs’ death was the result of an intentional, deliberate act of another, and not self- inflicted.

While fire investigators continue the investigation into the cause and origin in which the fire started, Warsaw Police detectives are investigating the death of Gibbs as a homicide.

Members of the Kosciusko Major Crime Scene Investigation unit, Warsaw Police detectives, and fire investigators continue the investigation.

The Warsaw Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance with this ongoing investigation. Anyone familiar with Gibbs and/or anyone that may have information pertaining to this investigation is asked to call the Warsaw Police Department Detective Division tip line at (574) 807-9159.