Woman dies after fire injuries in south Charlotte; police investigating as a homicide

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are investigating a south Charlotte woman’s death from fire injuries as a homicide.

The fire happened on June 21 in the 1600 block of Sharon Road West, according to a Friday news release from CMPD.

The Charlotte Fire Department found Lorna Joy Roth, 82, at the scene and in need of medical treatment. Medics took her to a local hospital. She died from her injuries Tuesday, according to CMPD’s release.

The Charlotte Fire Department’s fire investigation task force and CMPD’s arson detectives concluded that the fire was intentionally set.

“Upon consultation with the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office, Ms. Roth’s death has been associated to injuries sustained in the fire and this case has now been ruled a homicide,” the release said.

Ryan Oehrli

The Charlotte Observer

Ryan Oehrli writes about criminal justice for The Charlotte Observer. His reporting has delved into police misconduct, jail and prison deaths, the state’s pardon system and more. He was also part of a team of Pulitzer finalists who covered Hurricane Helene. A North Carolina native, he grew up in Beaufort County.