Update: Foul play suspected after man found dead in burned home

An autopsy, which was performed Tuesday on the body of a man found in the charred remains of a Williamsburg home Monday morning, has led investigators to suspect foul play.

“At this point I don’t feel we can give a good reasoning for why he died,” said Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley concerning the death of 73-year-old Johnny Jones.

Croley declined to get into specifics but said there were injuries inconsistent with an individual who died as a result of a house fire.

“It is very, very early in the investigation,” Croley said.

Croley said he was called to Jones’ residence on Maiden Bend Spur Road off of Ky. 92 in the Patterson Creek area after a family member contacted him to say the house had burned sometime through the night.

“They knew he was in there and not feeling good and not able to get around very well,” Croley said adding that the house sits back off the road making it difficult for passers-by to see.

Croley said he in turn contacted Kentucky State Police and Patterson Creek Volunteer Fire Department.

Croley said the body was located in what would have been the living room of the home.

Family members told Croley that the victim spent most of his time in that area.

The investigation is continuing.