Melissa Ketunuti, Philadelphia Pediatrician Found Strangled And Burning In Flames In Center City Basement Home By Dog Walker, Boyfriend Questioned

Melissa Ketunuti was found strangled and burned in her basement home in Center City. The Philadelphian doctor's body was found in her home on 1700 block of Naudain Street.

Although, police are waiting for the autopsy report, the cause of death for the 35-year-old pediatrician who has practiced at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been strangulation. During a news conference, Capt. James Clark of the Homicide Unit said there were no immediate signs of sex assault, "She dedicated her whole life to being a doctor and helping kids with cancer. It's very, very unfortunate that she died in this manner," said Clark.

The doctor's boyfriend was taken in for questioning and later taken to the house. The victim's body was found around 12:30 p.m. by a pet walker who had an appointment to pick up her dog. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said, "They go in the basement. They find a female - her body's on fire. The fire department puts water on her to put the fire out."

In a written statement Paul Offit, MD, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Chop wrote, "Melissa was a warm, caring, earnest, bright young woman with her whole future ahead of her," he added, "But more than that, she was admired, respected and loved by those with whom she worked here at CHOP. Her death will have a profound impact on those who worked with her and we will all miss her deeply."

Police remind the public that there is a $20,000 reward for arrest and conviction in any homicide in the city. Anyone with information is to call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS (8477), send a text message to PPD TIP (773847) or send a tip through phillypolice.com.