GRANT COUNTY, AR –
Yellow crime scene tape still surrounds a house off Highway 167 in Grant County gutted by fire last week."My neighbor came up here and told me the house was on fire and I could see it through the woods," said Arnold Harden, a neighbor.
Inside that burning house, firefighters found the body of Danny Joe Stivers.
"It's scary to see somebody's house burned down," said Stivers.
Grant County Sheriff Ray Vance said it didn't accidentally burn. Based on evidence from the scene and information from the medical examiner, he ruled the death of Stivers a murder.
Vance wouldn't reveal if Stivers died before or during the fire.
"We expect to solve this. We're pulling out every stop. We want justice for this family and this man," Grant County Sheriff Ray Vance said.
Neighbors say Stivers lived here with his wife and a young child but he came in and out after a troubled marriage. Firefighters say they only found him here last Friday night.
Harden said not much else is known about Stivers as residents in the community say he kept to himself.
Sheriff Vance said one thing is certain: his investigators will find Stivers' killer.
"I have full confidence in my team. I'll put them up against any other state in this state and national. They are very professional. They are very thorough," said Stivers.
The sheriff said they do have persons of interest but they won't say who or how many.
If you know who killed Stivers, call the Grant County Sheriff's Department.
