Police: Death of man in burning bedroom a homicide

By Mary Manning

Published Monday, Sept. 22, 2008 | 10:42 a.m.

Updated Monday, Sept. 22, 2008 | 11:35 a.m.

Metro Police are investigating the death of 42-year-old Eddie Morrell Heckard of North Las Vegas, who was found inside a burning bedroom last week, as a homicide, a detective said today.

Las Vegas firefighters arrived at 1409 J Street at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday and discovered a body after putting out a bedroom blaze, fire department spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

Police said detectives are investigating whether the man might have been killed during a robbery or a home invasion. There are no suspects in the case, a detective said.

The single-story home near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Owens Avenue was surrounded by friends and family of Heckard after the fire.

The Clark County coroner's office identified Heckard today, but did not release the cause of death. The coroner is trying to determine whether Heckard died as a result of the fire or from other causes.

Lt. Lew Roberts of Metro's robbery/homicide section said the death is being investigated as a homicide.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Metro's homicide section at 828-3521 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.