x
Breaking News
More () »

Family of 3 killed in Lizella house fire identified

Bibb Coroner Leon Jones says the man airlifted to an Augusta hospital has died

LIZELLA, Ga. — The Bibb County Coroner says the man airlifted to an Augusta hospital after a Tuesday morning fire in Lizella has died.

Coroner Leon Jones says 36-year-old Cody Whitaker died around 9:30 a.m. Friday from multiple organ failure.

Whitaker’s wife, 41-year-old Rochelle ‘Shelley’ and his five-year-old daughter Coraline, were also killed in the blaze at their home on Sofkee Circle around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Fire Chief Shane Edwards says the family had two dogs; one got out alive and the other died in the fire.

A neighbor told Jones that they heard an explosion that sounded like firecrackers before realizing the home was on fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Before You Leave, Check This Out