A body was found Saturday morning in a house fire, and St. Croix police are seeking a suspect in what is considered a homicide.
At about 9:52 a.m. Saturday the 911 center received a call about a house fire in Estate Whim, near Frederiksted. Arriving at the scene police and fire fighters found a small residence on fire and immediately began working to put it out.
Inside the house firefighters discovered a human body burned beyond facial recognition. The victim was identified as Jorge Parrilla, the 45-year-old resident of the house.
Accrding to Chief Oakland Benta, "It appears foul play was a factor, and this matter is being investigated and handled as a homicide."
Benta said police are looking for Edwin Encanacion, a 30-year-old Hispanic man. Encarnacion was described as being 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds, with a light complexion.
Encarnacion had reportedly feuded with Parrilla a few days earlier and was seen running away from the house when the fire began, the chief said.
Anyone with any information about Encarnacion’s whereabouts or about the incident can call the police at 911 or the Crimina Investigation Bureau at 712-6037.
Benta added the reminder that anyone who hides Encrnacion or helps h elude police "can and will be" charged with aiding a fugitive.
The incident is the 21st homicide on St. Croix since the beginning of the year, and the 47th in the territory.
