2 dead, 1 by gun shot, in Manistee fire

THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - Investigators are trying to figure out why two people were found dead inside a Thompsonville house that was on fire and why one of the victims had a gunshot wound to the head.

Around 1 p.m. Friday, fire crews were called to a structure in the 16,000 block of Vondra Road in Thompsonville, Michigan. When crews arrived, they found the trailer home fully engulfed in flames.

After crews put out the fire, they search the home and found two people dead inside. Deputies from the Manistee County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene to investigate the deaths.

The bodies of 51-year-old Douglas Brian Nichols and 56-year-old Joan Marie Miller, both Thompsonville residents, were found inside the home.

Evidence found on scene have investigators believing Mr. Nichols suffered a gun shot wound to the head; however, authorities do not know if Nichols suffered the gun shot before or after the fire started.

The Manistee County Medical Examiners Office will perform autopsies on both victims on Monday March 5th, 2012 to determine the cause of death of each victim.

The Michigan State Police Fire Marshall's Division is working with local law enforcement and fire officials to determine the cause and origin of the fire.

Anyone with any information should contact the Manistee County Sheriff's Office at 231423-8393 or Manistee Central Dispatch at 231-723-6241.