Becca White
Becca White, 24, was held in the village jail in Napakiak, Alaska, when a fire broke out early on Sunday, April 28, 2019, and she died in the blaze. Her older sister Miranda White described her as close to Isaiah Parka, who also died in the fire, and the city administrator said the two were best friends. Alaska State Troopers said the fire is under investigation, and a guard told troopers a prisoner set a mattress alight in a cell. The family wants to know how the fire started without anyone noticing, whether the building had working fire safety equipment, and why the cells were not opened right away. Residents tried to fight the fire with river water and a garden hose while a guard was seriously hurt trying to unlock the cells.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). Alaska State Troopers and the fire marshal are still investigating the fire at the Napakiak village jail, and a guard told troopers a prisoner set a mattress alight; her family wants to know how the fire started unnoticed, whether working fire safety equipment was in place, and why the cells were not opened right away.
Reported by: Alaska State Troopers (the agency that held her); a jail guard; her family.