TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Police officials on Tuesday identified the man killed in an October house fire in downtown Topeka.

Authorities identified the deceased as David S. Blevens, 46, of Topeka.

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

• 1st degree murder
• aggravated arson
• aggravated theft
• Arson

fire reported On Sunday, October 6, at approximately 6:40 p.m., 1640 SW Buchanan St. in a house at.

During the search, firefighters determined that one person was dead on the second floor of the house.

Authorities then spent several weeks trying to identify the murder victim.

The man found in the house fire is the city’s 15th homicide victim of 2024, police said.

Check wibw.com later for more details.

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