JOHNSTOWN

Woman found dead after duplex fire

A woman was found dead in a western Pennsylvania duplex destroyed by an early morning fire over the weekend, authorities said.

Firefighters in Johnstown were dispatched to the home shortly before 4:30 a.m. Sunday after a caller reported a woman trapped inside the burning home.

Chief Robert Statler said the fire was visible from outside and there was heavy fire on the second floor. Damage was visible on a side of the structure that was marked as condemned.

Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees said a woman in her 30s wasn’t able to escape, and her body was found in an upstairs bedroom. Her name wasn’t released.

Lees said two people were able to get out of the structure on the opposite side and were treated at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center.

A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze.

COCHRANTON

Woman’s death probed as homicide

State police are investigating the death of a woman found along a rural northwestern Pennsylvania road over the weekend as a homicide.

The Erie Times-News reports that state police in Crawford County identified the woman Monday as 21-year-old Destine Conyers of Townville.

Captain Kirk Reese said a passerby contacted authorities Sunday to report spotting the body along a gas well pull-off in Fairfield Township south of Meadville.

Emergency responders said Conyers appeared to have a gunshot wound. An autopsy is planned later in the week.

DOYLESTOWN

Mother, daughter sentenced in killings

A mother and her adult daughter were sentenced Monday to life in prison in the slayings of five close relatives, including three children, outside Philadelphia last year.

Shana Decree, 47, and Dominique Decree, 21, were sentenced in Bucks County Court after entering guilty but mentally ill pleas to five counts of first-degree murder.

The Associated Press