SOUTH SALT LAKE — A woman charged with murder for allegedly setting a house fire that killed her mother has died by suicide while incarcerated, jail officials confirmed Wednesday.
Loralie Kathie Querbach, 46, of West Valley City, was found Tuesday afternoon in her cell at the Salt Lake County Jail in need of medical attention due to a suicide attempt, said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Cammie Skogg. Querbach was taken to a local hospital where she later died from her injuries, she said.
On June 5, Kathie Thomas, 64, died in a fire at her home, 6946 W. Bonnie Arlene Drive (3710 South). Thomas called 911 to say she was trapped in her bedroom. Five other occupants were able to make it out safely.
Investigators determined the fire started "in the hallway of the main floor, at the base of the door to Ms. Thomas' bedroom," charging documents state.
Querbach, who was standing outside the house holding a bag that contained framed pictures and other personal items, told the first arriving officers, "I confess," the charges state. Investigators determined she put crumbled paper in front of the door, lit a pair of pants on fire and then threw it on top of the paper.
Querbach did not try to alert anyone in the house to the fire, the charges state.
On Tuesday, Skogg said an officer found Querbach while doing his rounds after lunch. The officer started CPR and was assisted by medical personnel until paramedics arrived and transported her to the hospital.
Querbach had a lengthy criminal history that includes domestic violence, including at least one prior case against her mother.