Fire Claims Life of 21-Year-Old Woman in Bonne Esperance, St. Thomas

ST. THOMAS — Authorities are investigating a structural fire that claimed the life of a young woman in the Bonne Esperance area of St. Thomas on New Year’s Day, the V.I. Police Department has announced. According to the release, the 911 Emergency Call Center received a report of a structural fire on Wednesday, January 1, at approximately 7:45 p.m. Firefighters from the V.I. Fire Services arrived promptly at the scene and began extinguishing the blaze. During their efforts, they discovered the burned remains of a female inside the residence. Emergency Medical Technicians at the scene determined that the victim, who showed no signs of life, had passed away. The cause of death is yet to be determined and is pending the results of an autopsy. On January 3 the victim was identified by her next of kin as 21-year-old A’zhanique Jonelle Hodge. The case is under active investigation by the Major Crimes Unit of the VIPD in collaboration with the V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Arson...