A grim discovery was made on New Year's Eve after firefighters extinguished two separate blazes in a Francisco, Indiana residence. According to WISH-TV, authorities located two dead bodies inside the property and subsequently arrested Michael R. Kegg Jr., 53, on murder charges. Kegg, identified as the homeowner and one of the residents, was apprehended by Gibson County law enforcement following a "Be On the Look Out" alert issued for his capture.
Initial responders found one of the victims amidst heavy smoke and fire conditions, which forced them to withdraw before they could conduct a thorough search and upon returning, they found the second victim as reported by WISH-TV.
The two fatalities have not been publicly named pending positive identification and autopsy results, states the Courier & Press. Adding to the complexity of the case; the victims' relationships with Kegg have not been made clear at this juncture.
After the subsequent investigation into the tragic incident, officials indicated that the deaths and the fires were not accidental. "We're keeping our strategy close to us right now — not revealing everything we know because we don't want our investigation to be a pawn in this game," Sheriff Bruce Vanoven told FOX59. His words conjure a sense of deliberate caution as the authorities proceed with their inquiries.
Sheriff Vanoven confirmed that the Gibson County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation, with support from Indiana State Police, revealing somewhat cryptically that Kegg is going through a divorce while facing these grievous accusations. The Courier & Press reports, the Sheriff has urged residents to review their surveillance footage for any suspicious activities on December 30-31, anyone finding relevant information is encouraged to contact the authorities immediately.
As the community grapples with the shock of such a heinous event, international attention has shifted to the small town of Francisco, with many unanswered questions lingering. Information from the public is being solicited through the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office or via anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana, who can be reached at (317) 262-TIPS, noted FOX59.
