Cigarette blamed in elder’s burning death

The Katy Police Department is investigating the death of a 72year-old resident of an assisted living facility who died this week after a cigarette reportedly caused her to catch fire.

Police Chief Noe Diaz would not comment on the ongoing investigation, but said detectives were still trying to determine whether anything “nefarious” occurred prior to the fire that killed Bobby Johnson Tuesday at the Veranda House Senior Living facility in the 5100 block of East Fifth.

Katy firefighters arrived at the scene of a fire at the facility to find Johnson suffering from second and third-degree burns, said Fire Chief Russell Wilson. Johnson was taken by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann — Texas Medical Center, where she died, Wilson said.

Investigators believe that Johnson, who was in a wheelchair, was smoking a cigarette when she dropped it on her lap, causing her clothing and wheelchair to catch fire, Wilson said.

Friends and family said Johnson suffered from Parkinson’s disease, which may have been why she was not able to retrieve the cigarette when it fell on her lap, Wilson said.

In a Facebook fundraiser post, family described Johnson as “well known” in Eagle Lake and surrounding areas.

Darrel Engelbrecht, a family spokesman, described Johnson as a woman who spent her life helping struggling youth as a part of Colorado County Youth and Services.

She spent more than 20 years with Colorado County EMS helping to train individuals, he said.

Johnson was born and raised in West Texas, near San Angelo, and lived in Colorado County for most of her life.

She enjoyed sewing, quilting and knitting, Engelbrecht said.

A memorial service is pending, he added.