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February 26, 2007

Update: Probe into fire, missing woman continues

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- The police today are continuing to investigate last week's suspicious fire at the home of a University of Rhode Island professor and the subsequent disappearance of his wife.

South Kingtown police collected evidence over the weekend, which is being examined today at the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory on the URI campus, according to South Kingstown police Capt. Jeffrey Allen.

The evidence was gathered from in and around Joseph and Adrianne Lynn Matoney's 19 French Road home that was destroyed by fire late last week, as well as other evidence taken from "elswhere in the community," Allen said, declining to be more specific.

The state Fire Marshal's Office is also continuing to investigate the cause of the fire, according to Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Michael DiMascolo. He said he doesn't expect a definitive answer today on whether it was set intentionally. The crime lab is testing materials taken from the fire scene for evidence of accelerants.

Adrianne Lynn Matoney, 58, hasn't been seen since the fire. Her car was later found on the Sakonnet River Bridge connecting Tiverton and Portsmouth in eastern Rhode Island. While she is officially listed as missing, authorities continue to search the area for signs of a body.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples with reports from Journal staff writer Paul Davis

Posted by Kate Bramson  at 12:56 PM | Permalink

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