The woman killed in an apartment fire in Long Branch early Monday morning has been identified.
Ann D. Lavelle, 79, of 11 Howland Ave., was a resident of the downstairs apartment of the building, and was found dead inside the building.
Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Public Information Officer Charlie Webster said her cause of death has not yet been released, because autopsy results are still pending.
Webster said the investigative team "conducted a thorough examination of the structure (at 11 Howland Ave.) and identified the area of origin as the rear bedroom."
Webster said investigators could not eliminate the improper disposal of smoking and/or lighting materials as the cause of the fire.
He added that the preliminary investigation did not reveal any evidence of foul play and that the fire does not appear to be suspicious.
