Daughter of man found dead in Liberty: “I just want to know why”

LIBERTY, Mo. — Both police and fire investigators are looking for answers in an early morning apartment fire in Liberty, where a man was also found dead outside the apartment building.

The fire broke out just before 1 a.m. at 200 Wilshire Blvd. A maintenance man in the area called 911 to report the fire.  When firefighters put it out, they found a black male dead outside of the apartment building. Family of the victim identified him as Darron Washington on Tuesday. Police later confirmed his identity on Wednesday.

“I just want to know why, you know,” said Latricia Washington, Darron’s daughter.

Latricia Washington said her father was a pastor and a compassionate man. He would often travel to St. Louis, which is where his car was found on Tuesday.

“It’s unreal, why would anyone want to do that to a man like him?”

Investigators said the fire is being investigated as arson. Police said they think Washington’s death is related to the fire due to the condition of his body.

“First it was he was in a fire,” Latricia said. “Then when I got closer, I learned that he was wrapped up in some sheets on the side of the bush, outside the apartment. They said head trauma, so I don’t know what the guy was thinking. But they will find him.”

“We are canvassing for witnesses. We are talking to a few people but the details of that are part of the investigation. And it continues,” Capt. Hendrick said.

Latricia Washington says she thinks she knows who killed her father, but police have not identified any suspects.

“It’s just tearing us up in the inside,” she said.

Anyone with information is asked to called the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

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