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RAVENNA, Ohio - A woman who made a career of reporting the news "became" the news. 30 year old Marci Piltz of Ravenna was one of two people trapped in a house fire Thursday afternoon. For eight years, Piltz was the crime beat reporter for the Record-Courier Newspaper. Investigators say she left work early after completing several assignments, to visit a long time friend, 39 year old David Smith at his home on Aberagg Road in Randolph Township.

Smith was the roommate of the property owner, Todd Bartlett who was away when the fire started. "I can't imagine anyone trying to hurt them. They're just two nice guys that haven't lived there long. They're just very, very nice," says Karen Todd, a neighbor who called 9-1-1. Piltz was also believed to have made a call to 9-1-1 but the Portage County Prosecutor's office declined to allow its release pending the outcome of an investigation.

The Summit County Medical Examiner's office reported Smith and Piltz died of smoke inhalation. The State Fire Marshal's office and the Portage County Sheriff's Office are also investigating. Fire investigators say the blaze started in a rear screened porch but the cause remains undetermined.

Sheriff David Doak says Piltz was a fixture on the crime beat. "She was humorous at times, good to deal with, very fair in her reporting," Doak noted. "There will be some long faces around the community. most of law enforcement dealt with Marci quite a bit. We will dearly miss her." She is survived by two sons, ages five and nine.

Piltz's father, Ed Rudd says donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Record Courier Newspaper. A wake will be held Monday from 3 to 8pm at the Wood Kortright Borkoski Funeral home at 703 East Main Street in Ravenna. The funeral service will also be held at that location on Tuesday at 11 am with a private burial to follow.