Mayfield Heights Woman Killed Before House Fire

MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OH — Rebecca Pletnewski was killed before a house fire was set at her Longwood Road home over the weekend. The smoke from the fire killed Pletnewski's 8-year-old daughter.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner announced on Wednesday afternoon that Pletnewski's death was a homicide. The cause of death was "cervical compression with sharp force injuries." That effectively means the 41-year-old was stabbed in the spine.

Police found Pletnewski's body inside her burning home. Pletnewski's daughter, Olivia Schneider, died from smoke inhalation after being pulled from the house and rushed to Hillcrest Hospital.

Investigators believe the fire at Pletnewski's home was intentionally set. Accelerants were detected on at the scene, according to WKYC.

No one is currently in custody in connection to the deaths, according to Fox 8. The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.

The State Fire Marshal's tip line is 800-589-2728.

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