Arson suspect found dead in apparent suicide

SHERIFF’S OFFICE & FIRE DEPARTMENTS
  • Smoke poured from the Stan’s Body Shop building when firefighters arrived the morning of July 6. CONTRIBUTED
    Smoke poured from the Stan’s Body Shop building when firefighters arrived the morning of July 6. CONTRIBUTED
  • One of several vehicles inside Stan’s Body Shop that were damaged by the July 6 fire. CONTRIBUTED
    One of several vehicles inside Stan’s Body Shop that were damaged by the July 6 fire. CONTRIBUTED

    A fire at a local business Sunday morning was discovered not to be accidental when the person who set the blaze was located deceased inside with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

    Jones County Sheriff Office Investigator Crystal Murphy, the lead investigator in the case, said she was contacted at 9:15 July 6 about the fire and suicide.

    Murphy said the fire at 4250 Gray Highway, Stan’s Body Shop, was re…