Death Of Man In Madison Heights House Fire Ruled A Homicide

MADISON HEIGHTS (AP) -  Authorities say a 59-year-old man was found dead of strangulation following a fire that was set at his suburban Detroit home.

The Daily Tribune of Royal Oak reports the body of Fernando Gonzales was found after firefighters arrived at his Madison Heights house about 1 a.m. Sunday. Cause of death was listed by the medical examiner's office as homicide caused by strangulation.

Police say the fire was used to destroy evidence and authorities recovered Gonzales' stolen car early Monday in Madison Heights. Deputy police Chief Corey Haines tells The Detroit News they believe the person responsible for Gonzales' death knew him.

Haines says there were no signs of forced entry into the home. WXYZ-TV reports fire crews that responded initially had deemed the cause of the fire to be suspicious.

 
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