Burglar Dies After Setting Fires To Conceal Crime

[matcom]

<snip>

A 23-year-old man found dead in a West End home Friday likely died of smoke inhalation after setting a pair of fires in the house to conceal a burglary, police said.

Wayland Deputee Jr., of Billings, had "distinctive coins" belonging to the homeowner in his pockets when emergency crews pulled his body from the burning house at 1732 Ave. E, according to Billings Police Detective Capt. Dave Hinkel.

Police also found two bags containing "household items" in the alley, suggesting Deputee stashed the possessions before returning to light the fires, Hinkel said.


"That's the assumption we're operating under," Hinkel said.

Police had previously indicated there were signs of forced entry at the back door.

Investigators determined that Deputee started fires in the kitchen and bedroom in an apparent effort to cover his tracks. Overwhelmed by smoke, he later collapsed in a dining room. Crew crews found him there, Hinkel said.

Fire crews responded at 12:30 a.m. Friday when a neighbor spotted the flames. After firefighters tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Deputee, he was pronounced dead.

Police said they considered the possibility that others could have been involved in the break-in but found no evidence to support that possibility.

"We leave that door open in the initial stages of an investigation," Hinkel said.

Hinkel said police are still awaiting toxicology reports from the autopsy, due in two to three weeks. They are expected to support a coroner's initial finding that smoke inhalation was the likely cause of death, Hinkel said.

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/11/03/build/local/50-burglar-killed.inc

[Arkana]

1. Paging Mr. Darwin...

Mr. Darwin, please pick up the white courtesy phone.

[GOPisEvil]

2. Quiet please...genius at work.

:eyes:

[LisaL]

3. Instant justice.

Karma is a bitch sometimes.