Roberto E. Bryan Jr.

Release: IMMEDIATE           Contact: Sgt. A. Caldwell, Public Information Officer

All suspects, and persons charged with a crime, are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Persons of interest are believed to have information relating to a case, and have not been charged unless stated otherwise.

Death and Fire Investigation

(Fayetteville, NC) - The Fayetteville Fire Department and the Fayetteville Police Department are conducting a joint investigation into a structure fire that resulted in the loss of life on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. 

At approximately 2:34 pm on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, members of the fire department, police department, and emergency medical services responded to the 1700 block of Empress Lane for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, first responders observed fire coming from the residence and began fire suppression. An adult male exited the residence from a window without injury. Fire department personnel entered the residence and located a female who had sustained injuries from the fire. Emergency Medical Service personnel transported the female to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The identity of the deceased will be released upon confirmation of identity.

The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective J. Bergamine at (910) 705-2093.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Fayetteville / Cumberland County Crime Stoppers by calling (910) 483-TIPS (8477). CrimeStoppers information can also be submitted electronically, by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org and completing the anonymous online tip sheet, or by downloading the FREE “P3 Tips” app available for Apple devices in the Apple App Store and available for Android devices in Google Play.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty

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Fayetteville, NC 28301

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The City of Fayetteville, North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, national origin, religion, or disability in its employment opportunities, programs, services, or activities.