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DSA In the News

Fourth fire victim identified

Published on 9/15/2010


The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office yesterday confirmed what the family of 81-year-old Elizabeth Torres already knew — the woman was the fourth known fatality in last week’s devastating San Bruno fire.

Last Friday, the office also confirmed the deaths of 44-year-old Jacqueline Greig and her 13-year-old daughter Janessa and 20-year-old Jessica Morales.

Torres’ identification took the longest because fingerprints and dental records were not an option, said Coroner Robert Foucrault.

Authorities eventually identified Torres through a medical device. Currently there are no services planned for Torres.

Torres, and the other three deceased San Bruno residents, were all found in the street a short distance from their respective homes. It is unclear if they were killed outside or if the massive blast knocked them from the homes.

Two members of Torres’ family were also seriously burnt in the explosion and remain hospitalized.

Foucrault said he is waiting for carbon monoxide test results before concluding the exact causes of death of the victims.

Three people remain missing, according to officials.

Foucrault’s office has other remains in their possession and are currently conducting DNA tests to determine if they are human or non-human. He expects those results to take approximately one week.

Meanwhile, the loved ones of the identified victims are preparing to say good-bye.

A vigil is planned for Jacqueline and Janessa Greig at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16 followed by a funeral mass the following day at 11 a.m. at St. Cecilia’s Church, 2555 17th Ave., San Francisco.

Janessa Greig was an eighth grader at the parish’s school. A notice on the school’s website states “Jacki and Janessa Greig in God’s care.”

Jacqueline Greig was a San Francisco native who spent the last 21 years working for the California Public Utilities Commission. The two are survived by husband James Greig and sister, Gabriella, 16.

A few events are planned for 20-year-old Jessica Lynne Morales this weekend starting with a viewing 4 p.m. and vigil at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17 at Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Ave., Daly City. Funeral services will take place 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 at Church of the Highlands, 1900 Monterey Drive, San Bruno. She will be buried 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20 at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Colma.

Morales was watching football with her boyfriend, Joseph Ruigomez, before Thursday’s events. Ruigomez was badly burned.

Morales is the daughter of Israel and Rene Morales; granddaughter of Ann Brunori and Fernando and Gloria Morales; sister of Israel Morales Jr., Isaiah Morales and Rebecca Morales; and niece of Charles Brunori. She was attending the Academy of Art College in San Francisco.