Folk figure. Reeser is perhaps the best known alleged victim of spontaneous human combustion. The local media nicknamed her "The Cinder Lady." Even though her remains were almost entirely cremated, her apartment showed little evidence of fire damage. The FBI investigated at the request of the local police; they determined that Reeser fell asleep while smoking, and that the extensive damage to her body was due to the "wick effect," a phenomenon where the clothing of the victim soaks up melted fat and acts like the wick of a candle. The police disagreed. Mary Reeser's mysterious death has been discussed in several books, including "Strange Secrets: Real Government Files on the Unknown," and "Real Life X-Files: Investigating the Paranormal."
Folk figure. Reeser is perhaps the best known alleged victim of spontaneous human combustion. The local media nicknamed her "The Cinder Lady." Even though her remains were almost entirely cremated, her apartment showed little evidence of fire damage. The FBI investigated at the request of the local police; they determined that Reeser fell asleep while smoking, and that the extensive damage to her body was due to the "wick effect," a phenomenon where the clothing of the victim soaks up melted fat and acts like the wick of a candle. The police disagreed. Mary Reeser's mysterious death has been discussed in several books, including "Strange Secrets: Real Government Files on the Unknown," and "Real Life X-Files: Investigating the Paranormal."
Bio by: Jennifer M.
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