OH Coroner Rules Rebecca Pletnewski Died Before House Fire That Killed Mayfield Heights Daughter

MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OH. (THECOUNT) — Rebecca Pletnewski died of homicide due to “cervical compression with sharp force injuries,” which means she passed away due to a spinal cord injury from being stabbed, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Officials ruled Wednesday, Pletnewski, 41, a Mayfield Heights nurse, was murdered before her house was set on fire in Mayfield Heights, killing her 8-year-old daughter, Olivia Schneider.

The medical examiner’s office said Pletnewski was found dead when firefighters arrived to her Longwood Road, Mayfield Heights, OH, home around 1 a.m. Tuesday.

Firefighters pulled her 8-year-old daughter, Schneider, from an upstairs bedroom, and she was pronounced dead at Hillcrest Hospital. The medical examiner’s office determined she died of smoke inhalation. source

The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office said the fire was intentionally set, and a $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the State Fire Marshal’s tip line at 800-589-2728.