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Burning body identified as slain Pa. volunteer firefighter/EMT

A forensic pathologist said Harwood Firefighter/EMT Jessica Ann Lockwood suffered from blunt force trauma and a gunshot wound before being set on fire

By Ed Lewis
The Times Leader

HAZLETON, Pa. — Volunteer firefighter Jessica Ann Lockwood , 39, was identified as the woman whose body was found burning on Club 40 Road on Sunday.

Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce confirmed Lockwood’s identity on Thursday after the Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Drums, released her obituary and by a news release.

According to the obituary, Lockwood was a volunteer firefighter and an emergency medical technician for the Harwood Fire Company in Hazle Township.

Officials on Sunday reported the Hazleton City Fire Department responded to a report of a possible mannequin on fire in the area of Club 40 Road and East Broad Street at about 7 a.m.

Upon arriving at the fire, firefighters discovered a human body was on fire and requested the Hazleton City Police Department to the scene.

An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Charles Seibert revealed Lockwood died from blunt force trauma and a gunshot wound. The manner of death was ruled a homicide by Luzerne County Acting Coroner Kaitlin Keating.

Investigators with the Hazleton City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit and the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop N, Criminal Investigation Unit served a search warrant at a residence on Muir Avenue in Hazleton on Sunday.

Sanguedolce in the news release say investigators believe Lockwood’s death was isolated.

Anyone with information about the ongoing investigation is asked to call Hazleton police at 570-450-2080.

© 2025 The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.).
Visit www.timesleader.com.
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