CMPD Releases Name Of Man Whose Remains Were Found In Burned Out Home By Insurance Adjuster
The Latest:
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police have identified the man whose remains were found by an insurance adjuster following a fire at a home in July.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department identified the man as 55-year-old Vernon Walker. The home was under renovation when it caught fire.
WCCB Charlotte’s Alexandra Elich asked the Chief Fire Investigator how the insurance adjuster could find the remains days later, but their investigators didn’t.
“Why would I risk the fire investigator being in the structure also. We have to play under those same rules,” Chief Fire investigator Paul Wilkinson.
Property records show the home is owned by Girdwood Enterprises LLC. WCCB spoke to who appears to be the owner on the phone, and he says he can’t comment on the matter.
Police have not said if Walker had access to the property prior to the fire. No other details have been released at this time. Read below for more information on the story.
Original Story (Posted July 30, 2019):
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A death investigation is underway after an insurance adjuster found human remains at a home that caught fire over the weekend.
Officials with the Charlotte Fire Department held a news conference Tuesday afternoon to address the reports of human remains being located inside a home on Kenley Lane that caught fire early Saturday morning.
“We were faced with a house that was destroyed by fire. From a risk analysis standpoint, it was not safe to have firefighters enter the structure until well after the fire was out,” says Charlotte Fire Battalion Chief Phil Bosche.
The Charlotte Fire Department tweeted on July 27th that the home on Kenley Lane was fully involved when they arrived on the scene. They go on to say that no one was injured and it took 23 firefighters to get the fire under control in 35 minutes.
A short time later, the Charlotte Fire Department sent out another tweet saying the home was under renovation and unoccupied at the time of the fire.
The insurance adjuster was at the property on July 30th when they discovered the human remains, according to a news release.
WCCB Charlotte’s Alexandra Elich asked the Chief Fire Investigator how the insurance adjuster could find the remains days later, but their investigators didn’t.
“Why would I risk the fire investigator being in the structure also. We have to play under those same rules,” Chief Fire investigator Paul Wilkinson.
Fire investigators say they had no forensic evidence to look through. They took pictures of the scene and collected information from the owners.
Property records show the home is owned by Girdwood Enterprises LLC. WCCB spoke to who appears to be the owner on the phone, and he says he can’t comment on the matter.
The Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine the cause of death. The victim’s identity is still unknown at this time but officials say identification methods are in process.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this fire is asked to call 704-432-TIPS.
Video of Tuesday’s news conference can be viewed below:
