Medical Examiner Steps Away From 'Accidental' Ruling in Tucker Fire

TUCKER, GA -- Gwinnett County's medical examiner on Friday stepped back from her ruling earlier in the week that the fire-related deaths of a Tucker woman and her two daughters were accidental.

In a written statement, examiner Dr. Carol A. Terry said a "verbal miscommunication" between her office and fire department investigators contributed to the ruling in the deaths of Kathy Patterson and her daughters -- Kayla, 12, and Madelyn, 9.

"Upon receipt of written reports regarding the fire department's investigation and associated testing to establish the origin of the fire, the manner of death will be reassessed and amended, if necessary," Terry said in the statement.

"As always, an opinion regarding the manner of death is subject to change based on the provided information and the determination of manner is a medical designation and has no legal implications regarding subsequent criminal charges or prosecution."

Made public Tuesday, Terry's report said the Pattersons died of smoke and soot inhalation and that the fire that destroyed their Tucker home was accidental.

The fire, in the 1000 block of Pointer Ridge, was originally considered an accident by fire investigators. But, in short order, investigators began saying there were "inconsistencies" in the story told by its lone survivor, father and husband Brent Patterson.

Patterson told investigators that, on February 9, the family was upstairs getting ready to go to bed when they heard popping sounds from downstairs.

He said he went downstairs to investigate and found the house’s lower level on fire. He told firefighters he yelled for the rest of the family to get out of the house, then exited the home himself.

When he realized they hadn’t escaped, Patterson said, he tried to go back in and help them, but couldn’t because of heat and smoke from the fire.

But Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services investigators have said Patterson has told inconsistent stories since then, and that's hindered their work. They have also said they were investigating how a fire spread throughout the Tucker home as quickly as it did.

On Wednesday, Brent Patterson had the remains of the family's fire-damaged home demolished, even though investigations are still ongoing, Gwinnett fire officials said.

Terry said members of her office met with Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter's office and fire department officials on Thursday to discuss the investigation.

The earlier miscommunication, she said, involved the extent of testing that had been done in the fire investigation.

"Such complete and accurate information is important for the medical examiner to render an opinion as to the manner of death," Terry said.