Pasadena woman facing eviction may have killed herself
Firefighters found Wanda Dunn, 53, in her burning home, which was in foreclosure. Police say she had a gunshot wound, and a gun was found nearby.
A Pasadena woman apparently upset that she was about to be evicted from her foreclosed home may have set her house on fire before taking her own life, police said.
Firefighters responded to a call in the 1000 block of North Wilson Avenue about 5 a.m. Monday, said Lt. John Dewar of the Pasadena Police Department. They found Wanda Dunn, 53, in a back bedroom, he said.
She had one gunshot wound, Dewar said. A gun was found nearby.
Dunn was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
"We received reports that her home was in foreclosure and she was going to be evicted Monday, and that may have been the reason for the arson and the death," Dewar said. "It's very tragic."
The fire was contained to the living room and the dining room at the front of the house, he said. The house was crowded with newspapers, books and clothes, he said.
Neighbor Scott Harden, 36, said he had heard from others that Dunn was going to kill herself because she was going to lose her house. He said he also knew that she was apparently going to be evicted on Monday, "so I was on red alert."
On Sunday night, he said, he saw Dunn moving boxes and packing up her car. About 5 a.m. the next morning, he said he saw smoke coming from the house and immediately called 911.
But Harden said he and other neighbors thought Dunn had already left. He said they were stunned to learn that she was still inside.
"We were all really surprised," he said.
The investigation is continuing.
anna.gorman@latimes.com
