Fatal Fire Now Murder Case

BOWIE, Md. (WUSA) -- Sources tell 9NEWS NOW that an autopsy has revealed the victim in Tuesday's fatal fire in Bowie, Md. had been shot. Officially Prince George's County homicide detectives and fire investigators will only say that this is now a murder investigation.

While no official identification has been made, family and friends believe the victim is 46-year-old Vilma Butler who lived in the two-story home on Jenkins Ridge Road.

Butler's body was found in a second floor bedroom above the garage.

Sources told 9NEWS NOW on Tuesday that the fire sprinkler in the home had been shut down prior to the fire. A neighbor reported hearing two pops that sounded like gunshots or a car back firing about 20 minutes before the fire was discovered.