Charred remains found in Poplar Bluff yard

Daily American Republic

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- An autopsy was scheduled Thursday in Farmington, Mo., for a woman whose charred remains were found outside a home in north Poplar Bluff.

The autopsy was to be performed at 10:30 a.m. at Mineral Area Hospital in Farmington by Dr. Russell Deidiker, a forensic pathologist, said Butler County Coroner Larry Cotrell.

"We don't expect a final outcome from the autopsy until all the toxicology tests come back," he said. "It could be at least two weeks."Cause of death should be determined by the autopsy, as well as the woman's identity confirmed, Cotrell said.

Poplar Bluff Police detective Gary Pride said the victim is believed to be Saroja Memula, 49, wife of Dr. Narayama Memula, but police are waiting on dental records to confirm that.

Pride said officers responded to a 911 call for assistance at the Memula's home at 2850 Shady Lane. Upon arrival, they were directed to an area in the back lawn, where they found the charred remains of a dead body, Pride said.

Detectives with the department's criminal investigation bureau and the Butler County Coroner's office came on the scene shortly afterward.

Poplar Bluff Police chief Danny Whitely said detectives were conducting interviews and would attend the autopsy.

"The death is under investigation, as are any unattended deaths," Whitely said.