Man found dead after suspicious apartment fire in SW Atlanta
Southwest Atlanta apartment fire turns into homicide probe
Atlanta Fire Rescue Department crews responded to a structure fire call at Aspen Woods Apartments on Stanton Road Southwest. First responders discovered a burned body inside a bedroom, triggering a homicide investigation by the Atlanta Police Department.
ATLANTA - A fire call at a southwest Atlanta apartment complex Wednesday night has become a death investigation after firefighters found a man dead inside one of the units.
Southwest Atlanta apartment fire response
What we know:
Atlanta Fire Rescue was called to the complex on Stanton Road around 9:45 p.m. Fire officials said crews found the man in a bedroom. Police homicide investigators said he was 22 years old.
Fire was out when crews arrived
Fire officials said there was no active fire or visible damage outside the apartment when firefighters arrived. The smoke had dissipated, but an odor of smoke remained.
Homicide investigators described the fire as suspicious. Atlanta police and fire investigators are working to determine how the man died and what caused the fire.
Neighborhood reaction and investigation
What they're saying:
Neighbors living in the complex expressed shock over the incident. Neighbor Camron Mariani shared that "it hurts," while neighbor Alicia Thompson called the situation "horrifying."
Family friends told FOX 5 Atlanta they believe the man may have been shot and burned.
Atlanta Police Department homicide detectives have taken over the case and are asking anyone with information to contact police immediately.
Medical examiner investigation
What we don't know:
The name of the deceased has not been released at this time. Police have not confirmed if the man was shot and burned.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office stated that extensive burns on the body have prevented immediate identification of the victim.
While authorities have not officially identified the victim, a mother strongly suspects the deceased man is her 22-year-old son and is searching for answers regarding how he died and who is responsible.