DALTON, GA — Authorities in Dalton are investigating a disturbing case of suspected homicide and arson after a woman was found dead inside a burning home early Saturday morning, a case that escalated into a multi-state manhunt ending with the death of a person of interest following a high-speed chase in Kentucky.

The Dalton Fire Department responded to a residential blaze at 313 S. Grimes Street at approximately 5:47 a.m. While conducting a search of the structure, firefighters discovered the badly burned body of a woman inside the home. Due to the suspicious circumstances, the Dalton Police Department, Whitfield County Coroner’s Office, and the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office were immediately called to the scene.

Authorities secured the residence and began treating the incident as both a homicide and an arson investigation. Officials said the victim has not yet been positively identified, as confirmation will require a medical examiner’s evaluation. While investigators believe they know who the victim is, her name is being withheld pending identification and notification of next of kin.

As the investigation progressed, police received a critical phone call from a woman who reported that her brother had confessed to killing his girlfriend at the Grimes Street home. By that time, officers had already identified the Indiana man as a person of interest.

Investigators also learned that the victim’s vehicle was missing and entered it into a national stolen vehicle database. Around 9:30 a.m., Kentucky State Police located the vehicle south of Lexington and attempted a traffic stop. The driver fled, crashed during the pursuit, and later died from injuries sustained in the crash. His identity has not yet been officially confirmed.