Police are now offering a reward for information leading to an arrest in the death of a 79-year-old woman whose remains were found after her Lake County home burned last month.

Evelyn Louise Ware, 79, of Ellsworth Township —about 30 miles west of the Clare County line— was found as investigators from the State Police Mt. Pleasant Post searched her property after the fire on Jan. 10.

A medical examiner determined Ware’s death to be a homicide during the investigation, and last month police asked for the public’s help gathering information in the case.

Now, state police are offering up to a $5,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest in the investigation.

In particular, police asked last month that anyone with surveillance systems or trail cameras in the area surrounding 1487 Lakola Road —near Lakola and 14 mile Road— is asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Post at 989-773-5951, so that investigators can review footage for possible evidence.

Anyone wishing to provide information anonymously can do so by contacting the Cadillac Area Silent Observer at 231-779-9215 or 1-800-528-8234.

Tips can also be submitted through www.P3tips.com.

Ware was a retired bus driver and director of transportation in the Pine River School district for 30 years; she was remembered by many as a friend, community leader and teacher, the Cadillac News reported.