A man neighbors identified as the victim’s son faces charges relating to the deadly house fire.
SAN ANTONIO — A 76-year-old woman found dead by San Antonio first responders battling a house fire this week died from “inhalation of products of combustion,” the Bexar County medical examiner has determined.
SAFD crews found the body of Maria Yolanda Stewart at the scene of a fire they responded to Tuesday morning in the 1200 block of Rigsby. Todd Benjamin Stewart, 47, was arrested at the scene and faces a charge of arson causing bodily injury or death.
Relatives said Todd Stewart was Maria’s son. It’s unclear at this point what spurred him to allegedly start the fire early Tuesday morning at the 1,220-square-foot home.
Neighbors said Maria Stewart – who they nicknamed “Martha Stewart” because of her generous nature and hospitality – was a happy-go-lucky fixture of the community. In an old-school neighborhood where families have been friends for generations, they said she was always willing to help others, often trading chores with people who live nearby.
Todd Stewart was previously convicted on drug and aggravated assault charges, and served prison time for both, online court records say. He remains jailed on a $150,000 bond as of Thursday for his latest arrest.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses.