POSTED: Friday, July 8, 2011 - 9:37am
UPDATED: Friday, July 8, 2011 - 10:43pm
TYLER — The residence was fully engulfed in fire upon arrival of fire units.
Observers at the scene told officials that the house had just been leased and that no one was living in it. The owner of the residence confirmed that the house had been rented and that the tenant had not fully moved in yet.
Fire-fighters fought the fire for one hour and 24 minutes and advised that the fire was under control at 6:02 a.m.
At 7:35 a.m. the Tyler Police Department was notified by a family member of the owner of the residence that they had located a body inside a storage closet inside the residence. The family member was searching the residence for salvageable items when they discovered the body.
Investigators from the Tyler Fire and Police Departments, and the Smith County DA’s Office responded to the scene and are currently conducting an investigation.
The deceased body that was located has been identified as Leon Kentrelle Heard, B/M, 10/04/1984. Heard was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Quincy Beavers. Judge Beavers has ordered an autopsy and the body will be transported to Southwest Forensics in Dallas.
The Tyler Police Department is taking the lead in this investigation and treating it as a possible Homicide until evidence indicates otherwise.
Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime are urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF
(903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case, or any, felony case.
Information from Tyler Police
Tyler Police information Officer Don Martin says the Tyler Fire Department received a call on the house from neighbors at 4:38 a.m.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire by 6 a.m.
The homeowners say the house was vacant and in the process of being rented out. They assessed the damage and then sent someone to pick up salvageable items at the house. When they were rummaging through the house, a burned male body was found inside the back of the house. Police were immediately called to investigate.
The cause of the fire is still unknown and the scene will be treated as a homicide until proven otherwise.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with Tyler Fire and Police are on the scene.
Neighbors of the house on West Lollar reported a fire Friday around 4 a.m.
They tell KETK the house had been rented, but there were not current renters at the time of the fire.
The burned body is still inside the house.
Fire and police officials are investigating a house in the 1000 block of West Lollar in Tyler.
They are proceeding with caution because the house has heavy fire damage. It is unclear at this time whether the fire is from an old incident or is recent.
One woman has been detained for attempting to remove an A/C unit from the house. A second unit was already in her car. The reason for taking the A/C is also unclear at this time.
Officials have blocked the intersection at North Grand and West Lollar while they investigate.
KETK will continue to update this story as the details are released.
Tyler Police are investigating a burned dead body in the 1100 block of Lollar St.
Officials tell a KETK crew on the scene that they have detained a woman who was allegedly stealing an AC unit from the house where the body was found.
The road is blocked off while officials investigate.
Details are limited at this time, but KETK has a crew on the scene and will provide more details as they become available.
