Published: June 22, 2009 09:20 am         

BREAKING: Arrest made in early morning homicide

Sullivan County — A Paxton woman was found dead in her Sullivan County home early today and a Linton man has been arrested in connection with her death.

Jennifer Peak, 34, was found in her mobile home on County Road 500 South, off U.S. 41 between Sullivan and Carlisle, by the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department around 1 a.m., according to Indiana State Police Sgt. Joseph L. Watts.

An autopsy to determine a cause of death is set for 3 p.m. today at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.

Gregory L. Hale, 34, Linton, was arrested in Greene County, and later transported to the Sullivan County Jail after police gathered probable cause for an arrest warrant.

Sgt. Watts reported that Hale, who is unemployed, has been temporarily living with friends at Linton. Watts said Hale was involved in an altercation with his friends and police were summoned to the scene. Greene County sheriff's deputies and Indiana State Police from the Bloomington post arrived and subdued Hale, who was slightly injured in the altercation. He was taken to Greene County Hospital at Linton for treatment of minor injuries, and was then taken by ISP troopers to the Sullivan County Jail.

Some time during the investigation of the altercation, police discovered that Hale was allegedly involved in Peak's death, Watts said. Sullivan County deputies then went to her residence and found her mobile home full of heavy smoke. Area firefighters responded to the scene. Police found Peak in a rear bedroom of the home. Investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

Watts said it is believed that Hale is an acquaintance of Peak, who was a healthcare worker at an area nursing home. It was unclear early today whether Hale was a past boyfriend of Peak.

Hale is being held in the Sullivan County Jail with no bail available. His initial court appearance will be in Sullivan Superior Court but a time for that hearing had not been set this morning.

Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.