Mother and daughter found in burnt Mayfield Heights home were murdered, medical examiner says
Updated: Nov. 21, 2018 at 4:02 PM EST
CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death for the 41-year-old woman and her 8-year-old daughter as homicide.
Rebecca Pletnewski died from “cervical compression with sharp force injuries,” according to the medical examiner.
Her daughter Olivia Schneider, a third-grade student at Lander Elementary, died from smoke inhalation. She was taken to Hillcrest Hospital for treatment, but eventually died from her injuries.
The two were found in a burning home on Longwood Road early Tuesday morning.
Investigators believe the fire was intentionally set.
A GoFundMe set up for the victims has raised over $31,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.
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