Suspicious death in Accomack County fire investigated as possible homicide: Police

Rose Velazquez, Salisbury Daily Times
·1 min read

Virginia State Police said a suspicious death during an Eastern Shore fire could be a possible homicide.

The New Church Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company called state police to the scene of a house fire in the 6000 block of Lankford Highway around 9:27 p.m. Saturday.

The fire department had initially responded to the blaze and discovered there was someone still inside the home, according to police. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation found the body of 62-year-old Edward Bruce Mears Jr.

The New Church Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company responded to a fire at this home in the 6000 block of Lankford Highway in Accomack County, Virginia on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. The body of a 62-year-old man was found inside the home, and Virginia State Police said the case is being handled as a suspicious death, possible homicide and arson investigation.

The home is near the Maryland state line and investigators learned there had been similar incidents Saturday in Worcester County.

Police said the investigation is being handled for now as a suspicious death, possible homicide and arson.

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Virginia State Police is looking for any witnesses who were in the Lankford Highway area of Oak Hall or near that area before or after the fire. Anyone with information or is asked to contact police at 757-424-6800 or by emailing questions@vsp.virginia.gov.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Suspicious death in Accomack County fire possible homicide: Police