MONTICELLO, Ind. — Federal investigators have joined the probe of a house fire that killed a woman and her daughter in Monticello last month.
13News has confirmed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) special agents are investigating the Feb. 17 fire that killed Indiana State Police Sgt. Stephanie Thompson and her teenage daughter, Mya, who was a junior at Twin Lakes High School. The White County coroner reported the cause of death for both was smoke inhalation.
ISP has been in charge of the investigation, but the ATF is now assisting.
Stephanie, a 23-year police veteran, is remembered as a woman of faith who worked hard and loved her family.
"She could accomplish anything she put into her mind," said Jay Janke, a member of the Indiana State Police. "I admired her for being able to balance an outstanding state police career, a marriage, raising two beautiful daughters, all while being an asset to the community."
PHOTOS: Trooper, daughter who died in house fire remembered in Monticello
Mya was a high school swimming star and served as a team captain. Teammates called her "a true light and a compassionate, sincere person." Her best friend, Hailey Vogel, said she’ll miss the simple things most.
“Thank you, Mya, for showing me what a best friend is and means," she said. "I hope one day I can be as good of a friend as you were to me. No one can replace you, as you have set the bar at such a high level. I remember telling my mom, dad and sister on Thursday that I will miss the times we simply sat in comfortable silence, knowing that being together was enough."