Woman Found Dead Surrounded By Burning Bills

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa --

KETV

A woman found dead inside her burning mobile home Monday morning was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to autopsy results released Wednesday.The preliminary results conducted on Connie Ayers showed that Ayers shot herself in the right temple, said Council Bluffs police Sgt. Chad Meyers.Investigators said Ayers likely started the fire that they initially thought was arson. She was found dead at the end of a trail of financial bills leading from a storage room to her bedroom.Meyers said gasoline had been poured on the trail of bills, and a mostly full gas can was on the bed with her when she was found. Underneath her lay a .22-caliber semiautomatic handgun, Meyers said.Investigators reviewed video surveillance form a nearby gas station that showed Ayers purchasing the gas can and filling it up, Meyers said.Family members told investigators Ayers had a history of depression and threatened suicide in the past.

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