MEXICO, Maine — Editor's note: The attached video was originally posted on Sept. 27, 2024.
The Maine State Police and Fire Marshal's Office have arrested and charged a Mexico man for alleged arson and murder, following a September fire that claimed the life of one woman.
The fire occurred just after 7 a.m. on Sept. 26 at 5 Trucker St. in the town of Mexico, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said in a Monday news release.
The Mexico Fire Department and several area fire departments responded to the scene and rescued one female from the residence with a ladder. The woman was not injured, according to the release.
Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters at the scene discovered the body of a deceased female inside, who was later identified as 23-year-old Lacey Tidswell of Mexico, Moss said.
On Friday night, 23-year-old Elijah Cowper of Mexico was arrested and charged with arson and murder, according to the release.
In a previous release, Moss stated the cause and manner of Tidswell's death are not being released at this time.
Cowper was already being held at the York County Jail on unrelated charges at the time of arrest. Cowper is expected to make an initial court appearance at 3 p.m. Monday, the release stated.
This investigation is ongoing.