Whiteside County Sheriff John F. Booker submitted these consecutive reports over three days.
Sterling Fire Department , Illinois State Fire Marshal, and Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the fire at 5000 Mill Street, in rural Sterling, IL, which occurred on Sunday, January 19, 2025. A recovery mission is being conducted to determine if anyone perished in the fire.
On January 19, additional information: “Around approximately 3:00 p.m. a body was recovered inside the residence. No additional information at this time; [more] tomorrow.”
On Monday, January 20, Sheriff Booker wrote: “An autopsy is scheduled today at 11:15 a.m., to look for additional information.”
This press released is from Sterling Fire Chief David Northcutt and Sheriff John F. Booker.
On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, an autopsy was conducted on the female whose body was recovered on January 20, 2025, at the residence house fire in the 5500 block of Deets Road in rural Sterling, IL, on January 19. The female was identified as Christina M. Haugen 32 years old, who lived at the location of the fire. The complete autopsy results are not available at this time.
The investigation has been conducted by Sterling Fire Department, Illinois State Fire Marshal, Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office, and Whiteside County Coroner’s Office. Sterling Fire Department would like to say Thank you to the responding Fire Departments who assisted with this fire.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the family of Christina Haugen.