DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona Police made an arrest after an elderly woman was found dead inside a home after a suspicious fire on Sunday.
According to police, 33-year-old Deandre K. Anderson was arrested on a felony count of premeditated first-degree murder in connection with this deadly fire.
READ: Local school district reports almost 400 COVID-19 cases overnight
Daytona Beach police confirmed that 70-year-old Viola Miller was found dead after firefighters put out the flames inside of a home on Cannon Street at around 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Police said they were called to the home for a “reported physical disturbance.”
Officers said a caller told dispatchers that a mentally challenged man who lived at that residence was attacking an elderly woman.
Police said they arrived at the residence within minutes and attempted to force entry, but were denied as the house became engulfed in flames.
READ: Mystery diner leaves $10K tip for 10 workers at Florida restaurant
Daytona Beach Fire Department put out the house fire and upon entry, noticed a woman lying on the floor a few feet from the front door.
Police said a member of the DBFD noticed a machete-like object on the ground close to the body.
Firefighters on scene of a suspicious residential structure fire that resulted in a fatality. The area is now a crime scene as @DaytonaBchPD investigates.
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) August 22, 2021
Police found the defendant walking southbound away from the home on Cannon Street following the incident.
According to a witness, the victim and suspect lived at the residence together. The witness told police that the victim was scared of the suspect living in the house and was in the process of evicting the suspect from the residence.
READ: Advocacy group: Social Security, SSI checks could increase by 6.2% in 2022
Anderson was booked in the Volusia County Jail.
©2021 Cox Media Group
