Crossville house fire investigated as arson, homicide, suicide

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A house fire in Crossville, Tennessee has been upgraded to an arson, homicide and suicide case.

After responding to a house fire on December 3 around 3:15 a.m., Cumberland County firefighters found a woman had died in the house. The house was located at 1041 Flathead Road.

However, the medical examiner’s office said the woman had actually died from a gunshot wound, and not from the fire.

They identified her as 66-year-old Gale Meister. She was the owner of the house.

Investigators said another person was living with Meister, and both of their vehicles were missing from the property.

They identified the second occupant as 57-year-old Frank Lackey of Nashville.

Investigators located Lackey in Rutherford County. They said he was driving Meister’s car.

A Rutherford County deputy pulled Lackey over in a traffic stop. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said, “before the deputy could approach the vehicle, Lackey took his own life with a gunshot to the head.”

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of Ms. Meister during this difficult time,” said Sheriff Casey Cox. “We hope that the conclusion of this investigation will bring some measure of closure to the family and friends of Ms. Meister.”

Authorities said they are now investigating this incident as a domestic homicide, arson and suicide.