On Tuesday evening, Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy McElhaney has released the identities of the two victims killed in a tragic structure fire on October 5, 2025, in the Ridgeway community near Trion. The victims have been confirmed as 32-year-old Natalie Cropper and her 2-year-old daughter, Theory Williams.
McElhaney stated that the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities continue working to determine what led to the deadly blaze. He asked the community to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

On October 5th, emergency crews were called to a burning structure in the Ridgeway area before dawn. At 5:23 a.m. that morning, Coroner McElhaney confirmed at least one fatality at the scene, though details were limited as firefighters and investigators worked to secure the area.

At the time, officials had not released information on the number of victims, the condition of the structure, or the circumstances leading to the fire. Responders spent much of the day assessing the damage and beginning the investigation.

With Tuesday’s confirmation of the identities of both victims, officials say that additional findings will be shared once investigators complete their work. The community continues to mourn the loss of a mother and her young child in one of the county’s most heartbreaking incidents of the year