Police: Body found in house fire is that of convicted murderer

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - The Alabama Department of Corrections says the victim in a house fire is now the subject of a homicide investigation.

Authorities have identified the victim as 41-year-old Dewayne Powell. Powell is also a convicted murderer, spending 18 years in prison for a Bessemer murder. He was paroled in April 2014, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.

Firefighters were called to the 700 block of New Hill Avenue at about 2 a.m. this morning.

While crews were fighting the fire they found one person inside, according to Battalion Chief Raymond Williams. Firefighters put the fire out in an area around where the victim was found.

Williams says once the coroner examined Powell's body, they realized he died from a gunshot wound. Family members at the scene Tuesday morning tell us Powell was shot in the head.

Birmingham Police Department spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards says investigators believe someone was trying to use the fire to cover up the crime.

"It was pretty heinous crime. It looks like the individual responsible knew exactly what they were trying to cover up but unfortunately they made a mistake we were able to identify how the victim was deceased," Lt. Sean Edwards said.

Edwards says investigators will be looking into associates of Powell and those who tend to hand out in the area. If anyone has information about this crime, you are urged to contact the Birmingham Police Department or leave an anonymous tip by calling 205-254-7777.

Copyright 2016 WBRC. All rights reserved.