NATCHEZ — As local authorities search for suspects in Terry Lynn Farmer’s murder, her family is mourning her loss.

“She was a wonderful woman,” Farmer’s mother, Sallie Simmons said. “Just a loving person.”

Thursday Natchez Police investigating the odor of smoke found Farmer’s Shadow Lane residence on fire. After the blaze was extinguished, Farmer’s body was discovered inside.

Late Thursday an autopsy revealed Farmer was killed by blunt force trauma to the head in addition to a single gunshot wound to the head.

Police have said they believe the fire was started to destroy evidence of Farmer’s murder. Police Chief Mike Mullins said Friday that officers do have several leads they are following.

But for the family, the shock of Thursday won’t fade for quite some time, Simmons said.

“We’re all going to miss that smile,” Simmons said. “That’s what we’ll remember the most.”

And while Farmer’s life met a tragic end, it was not the first tragedy in her life. Simmons said her daughter never fully recovered from a car accident several years ago in which her son and husband were killed.

Farmer, who was also in the accident, was not “physically or mentally able to return to work,” after the accident, Simmons said.

Farmer retired from nursing after the accident and devoted her time to raising her two daughters, Simmons said.

“She loved her daughters and her three grandchildren,” Simmons said.

Natchez Police Sgt. Craig Godbold said investigators are examining physical evidence recovered from the scene. Mullins said there were no signs of forced entry at Farmer’s house and it is possible she knew her killer.

A spokesman in the state fire marshal’s office said the fire has officially been ruled as arson. And Natchez Fire Battalion Chief Aaron Wesley is currently working with the state fire marshal to determine if an accelerant was used to set the fire, which was contained to the back bedroom of the house where Farmer was found.