HARRIS COUNTY, TX – The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit is investigating the discovery of skeletal remains found this evening in a burned home in the 13300 block of Villagrove Drive in East Harris County. Deputies were called to the scene around 5 p.m. after the remains were discovered during a cleanup.
The house, which burned in a suspected arson fire on August 28, had recently been sold to a buyer planning to remodel it. The skeletal remains, located in the entryway, were concealed under debris and are believed to have been there since the fire occurred.
The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, along with the Medical Examiner’s Office, was on the scene to document and recover the remains. The Medical Examiner’s anthropology department are working to identify the remains and determine the cause and manner of death, which could take months.
Neighbors reported that the home was a rental property and that the tenant, described as an approximately 40-year-old man, was facing eviction at the time of the fire. Witnesses said he was last seen leaving the house about two hours before the fire started. The house was reportedly unoccupied at the time of the fire.
The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Homicide Unit and Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office. Police are working to locate the original property owner and the previous tenant for further information.
If you have any information, you are urged to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
