Fire now believed to be part of a murder

Investigators are looking into what at first appeared to be a mobile home fire in Riegelwood. After unearthing the remains of a body, Columbus County may have a murder case on its hands.

Sunday, investigators found the body of Andrew Dunn, a 32-year-old man, inside a burning mobile home, but they don’t suspect he died from the flames.

The results of his autopsy proved to investigators that it wasn’t the fire that killed him.

“I found out he was murdered, I found out he was murdered and that’s all I can tell you,” said Clarence Bryant of Riegelwood.

The autopsy revealed three bullets in Dunn’s body, leading investigators to believe the fire was set to cover up his murder.

Neighbors told WWAY the victim had moved in about two weeks ago. They actually saw him at a local yard sale buying furniture for his home. But all that is left of that furniture is ash and rubble.

People who knew Dunn say he didn’t bother anybody and stayed out of trouble.

“He was a good guy, he rolled by himself, stayed to himself mostly, but he was good,” Bryant added.

Fellow Riegelwood resident Shawn Bress said, “Never have known him to be a troubled guy, he was never mad, always a great smile on his face.”

Neighbors don’t remember seeing Dunn’s home on fire, but fire officials say older mobile homes like these are quite flammable.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Columbus County Sheriff’s Department at 640-5051.