LOWNDES COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) – An arson investigation has turned into a murder case in Lowndes County after authorities recovered human remains and determined the victim did not die as a result of the blaze.
During a news conference Monday morning, Lowndes County investigators said the victim, who they believe to be a Tallassee woman, was shot multiple times and died before the suspect set the house on fire.
Deldrick Keon Thomas is now facing murder charges for the death of Denisha Lyles, of Tallassee. Investigators are confident Lyles is the victim, but are still seeking positive identification through DNA.
The murder and arson happened on Sunday, Nov. 16, at a home on Rivers Drive in Hayneville, investigators have said. There was some discrepancy on the date, both from verbal references and court filings, saying “Nov. 15,″ which fell on a Saturday.
The documents state that after the victim was shot and killed, the suspect poured an accelerant on the body, started a fire, and burned the victim and home.
Thomas had an Aniah’s Law hearing Monday morning…