CA CA - Eleanor Nichols, 73, Sacramento, found shot in burning home, 9 Mar 2008

[RunDMC]

Does anyone know anything about the Eleanor Nichols case? Here is the information copy and pasted from the Sacramento Sheriff's Website:

"On March 9, 2008, at approximately 9:00 am, Sacramento Metro Fire responded to the 7900 block of Archer Avenue in Fair Oaks regarding a structure fire. When fire personnel arrived, they spoke with an elderly man who told them he returned home from work and found his house on fire. The man also told the firefighters he tried to rescue his wife, who he thought was still inside, but was overcome by smoke. Firefighters entered the residence and put out the fire. They located an elderly female deceased in the hallway of the residence. The victim was identified as 73 year old Eleanor Nichols. Fire Department Arson Investigators determined the fire was suspicious and requested the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department Homicide Team investigate the incident. According to the Coroner’s Office, Eleanor Nichols had been shot prior to the fire being started. Today, on the 8 year anniversary of Eleanor Nichols death, her family and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department are pleading for anyone with information regarding this case to come forward."

I am a new sleuth, so any information on this case or thoughts on where to start in general are welcome!

 

[dotr]

73-year-old woman's death still a mystery 8 years later

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) —

The circumstances surrounding the killing of an 73-year-old woman who was found shot in a burning Fair Oaks remains a mystery eight years later.

Metro firefighters were called to a house fire about 9 a.m. on March 9, 2008 in the 7900 block of Archer Avenue.


When they arrived, an older man told him he arrived home from work and found his house on fire, officials said.

The man also told firefighter he tried to rescue his wife, whom he thought was still inside, but was overcome by smoke and couldn't go inside.

Firefighters went inside the home and put out out the fire, but found a woman -- identified as Eleanor Nichols, 73 -- dead in the hallway of the home, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

Fire investigated and determined the blaze was suspicious, but it is unclear what caused the fire.

The coroner's office determined Nichols had been shot before the fire started".

 

[Mountain Mama]

73-year-old woman's death still a mystery 8 years later

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) —

The circumstances surrounding the killing of an 73-year-old woman who was found shot in a burning Fair Oaks remains a mystery eight years later.

Metro firefighters were called to a house fire about 9 a.m. on March 9, 2008 in the 7900 block of Archer Avenue.


When they arrived, an older man told him he arrived home from work and found his house on fire, officials said.

The man also told firefighter he tried to rescue his wife, whom he thought was still inside, but was overcome by smoke and couldn't go inside.

Firefighters went inside the home and put out out the fire, but found a woman -- identified as Eleanor Nichols, 73 -- dead in the hallway of the home, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

Fire investigated and determined the blaze was suspicious, but it is unclear what caused the fire.

The coroner's office determined Nichols had been shot before the fire started".

First question that pops is was EAR responsible. He was living in nearby Citrus Heights I think.

 

[RunDMC]

First question that pops is was EAR responsible. He was living in nearby Citrus Heights I think.

I do not think it would have been GSK/EAR because his murders took place in Southern California and he theoretically stopped his crime spree in the 80s. It would certainly be interesting if there was a connection between the victim and EAR suspect DeAngelo...This is just such an odd case. A 70-year-old woman shot in her home? I imagine the police cleared the husband somehow.

 

[RunDMC]

Ask Sacto 911 crime Q&A: Any arrests in death of woman shot in Fair Oaks home that was set on fire?

 

[dotr]

Ask Sacto 911 crime Q&A: Any arrests in death of woman shot in Fair Oaks home that was set on fire?

Rbbm.
Wondering who that man was and why he and EN had a " confrontation "?
"According to stories in The Sacramento Bee, Nichols was shot with a small-caliber handgun, which was not found.

Sacramento County sheriff’s detectives early in the investigation questioned a man who had been in a confrontation with Nichols a few days before the fire.

Investigators did not think the homicide was completely random and said it might have been a crime of opportunity. They said the killer might have gone into the house without realizing someone was home.

Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District investigators determined that the fire had several points of origin."


Read more here: Ask Sacto 911 crime Q&A: Any arrests in death of woman shot in Fair Oaks home that was set on fire?