TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Fire investigators on Tuesday identified the homicide victim in an October house fire in downtown Topeka.

Officials identified David S. Blevens, 46, of Topeka as deceased.

The Topeka Fire Department (TFD) announced that as a result of the investigation, Terica M. Gardner, 31, of Topeka was arrested and charged with the following:

• Murder in the first degree
• Aggravated arson
• Aggravated burglary
• Arson

The fire was reported around 6:40pm on Sunday, October 6th at a home at 1640 SW Buchanan St.

Firefighters conducted a search and found a man on the second floor of the home, who was later pronounced dead.

Authorities then spent several weeks positively identifying the homicide victim.

Police said the person found in the house fire was the city’s 15th homicide victim of 2024.

Check wibw.com later for more details as they become available.

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