Autopsies confirm the coroner’s suspicions

The coroner says autopsies yesterday showed the two Oconeeans who died in their home fire last weekend near Walhalla died of smoke and soot inhalation, along with thermal injuries, in Saturday night’s fire at 140 Hidden Valley Road in the Picket Post Community.  But, as the fire’s cause remains an open investigation, Coroner Karl Addis says his ruling on the deaths of Winfred Lee Dills and Daniel Lee Ayers remains pending.  Dills was found dead in his bedroom; Ayers was found near the back door, thru which he is believed to have entered in an attempt to rescue Dills, his grandfather.