Pregnant woman was suffocated before fire

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Jul 2, 2009 at 11:39 AM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 2, 2009 at 11:39 AM MDT

MOSCOW, Idaho - An autopsy found that a pregnant woman whose body was found in a burned duplex had been suffocated or strangled before the fire started.

The body of third-grade teacher Sarah Parks was found June 24. Her husband, Silas Parks, was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the death of his 28-year-old wife and unborn daughter. He is also charged with first-degree arson for allegedly setting the fire.

Parks made an initial appearance Wednesday before Latah County Magistrate Judge William Hamlett, who scheduled a preliminary hearing for July 14. Parks is being held without bail.

Court records say Parks told Moscow police that he pushed his wife to the ground while enraged on at least three occasions.

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