A suspicious house fire turned into a homicide investigation early Monday morning when Detroit Police determined the 91-year-old man found dead in the home had been beaten and doused with gasoline by a suspect in an attempt to cover his tracks.
The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the man as Paul Monchnik. Spokesman Lloyd Jackson said Monchnik was identified by his son. An autopsy was conducted this morning to determine the cause and manner of death, Jackson said.
Detroit Police Chief James Craig said Monchnik's body was found around 3 a.m. in the 20500 block of Bentler Court. The house appeared to have been broken into, and his body was found beaten and severely burned, Detroit police officer Shanelle Williams confirmed.
Craig said the killer stole the victim's 2000 silver Chevrolet van.
Detroit Police released a video Monday morning, of a suspect who can be seen buying gasoline at a gas station. Craig said investigators believe he purchased the gasoline and then took it back to the home to start the fire.
"This is a horrible crime, we’re asking for your help," Craig said. "We’re going to do everything we can to identify this person. We do know there was a burglary. We believe during the suspect's entry into this home, there was an attack. However, in order for the suspect to cover his tracks, he decided to leave the location, obtain some gasoline, return and set the victim and home on fire."
The suspect is described as black, in his early 20s, 5'9, with a medium complexion. He was last seen wearing a red or orange skull cap, with a grey hoodie and University of Michigan basketball pants. The stolen van's license plate is "CNU1721."
"This must end," Craig said. "As we’ve talked about overall crime this year, we’re still on a decline, but it's instances like this, an elderly man who was known by his neighbors, spent all of his life working, providing service in repairing televisions. We’re going to fight hard to identify whose responsible for this."
Contact Katrease Stafford: [email protected] or 313-223-4759.
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