Document: *Correction* Man Found Murdered in Burned Apartment

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Help us continue our mission into 2025 by donating to our end of year campaign.

Donate Now

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on April 22 on the 1400 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers and emergency personnel responded to the location for a fire in an apartment building, where, upon extinguishment, they discovered the remains of a man. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) determined he died from blunt force trauma and ruled the death a homicide.

The victim was identified as 64-year-old James Lavender.

MPD is offering a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the homicide.