Man charged with murder; accused of setting home on fire with woman inside

CALLOWAY COUNTY, Ky. (KFVS) - A Kirksey, Kentucky man is facing felony charges following a multi-agency investigation into a fire in May. According to the Calloway County Sheriff’s Office, 63-year-old Jody M. Smith was arrested on Wednesday, June 17 for an arrest warrant charging him with murder and first-degree arson. The sheriff’s office said this comes after a fire at a home on Saddlebrook Lane on May 19. The home was fully engulfed, and first responders found a woman, named Lisa Bebber, who died inside. After further investigation, detectives found probable cause to believe Smith intentionally set the fire. He is currently being held at the Calloway County Detention Center. The investigation remains ongoing. The Calloway County Sheriff’s Office said the Calloway County Fire Rescue, the Calloway County Coroner’s Office, the Kentucky State Police and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this investigation. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (270) 753-3151 or ccso.office@callkyso.com. Copyright 2026 KFVS. All rights reserved.