Major Crimes detectives from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a homicide that took place Friday in Ocala.
Sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence near S.W. 103rd Street Road and S.W. 75th Terrace around noon Friday for a well-being check and when they arrived, they reported smelling the odor of something burning inside the residence.
Marion County Fire Rescue was notified and firefighters located a small fire inside the home, which was quickly extinguished. The victim was discovered deceased inside the residence and Major Crimes detectives were called to investigate the incident, a sheriff’s office report states.
Detectives are awaiting forensic results to positively identify the victim. The victim’s next of kin hasn’t been notified pending those results, the report says.
The sheriff’s office has a person interest in the case in custody who was arrested on unrelated charges. But anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact Det. Billy Burleson at (352) 368-3542 or to remain anonymous, call Marion County Crime Stoppers at (352) 368-STOP (7867).