Her decomposing body was found there three days later.
Dr. Jacquelyn Kotarac (picture), 49, first tried to get into the house with a shovel, then climbed a ladder to the roof, removed the chimney cap and slid feet first down the flue, Bakersfield police Sgt. Mary DeGeare said.
Kotarac apparently died in the chimney, but her body was not discovered until a house-sitter noticed a stench and fluids coming from the fireplace.
The house-sitter and her son investigated with a flashlight and found Kotarac dead, wedged about two feet above the top of the interior fireplace opening. More
