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Last updated on Monday, March 14, 2016
(FREETOWN) - Investigators say DNA has confirmed the identification of a Freetown man who died in a house fire during the early morning hours of February 27.
77-year-old William N. Hintzen of Freetown was identified after police collected DNA from him and a brother, Martin H. Hintzen, for comparison at a lab, said Detective Bob Lucas with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.
Funeral arrangements are pending with Voss & Sons Funeral Service in Seymour.
Hintzen's body was found inside his home in the 7100 block of North County Road 765W after the fire was put out by Pershing Township firefighters and units from Brownstown and Owen-Salt Creek fire departments.
He lived by himself and had no family with the exception of the brother who lives in Texas.
Indiana Fire Marshal's Office is ruling the cause of the fire undetermined because of the extent of damage the fire and heat caused. Pershing Township investigators helped with that investigation.
An autopsy was later conducted at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour by Dr. George Weir, a pathologist. Jackson County Coroner Roger Wheeler and county Officer Jeff Walters were involved with that part of the investigation. Weir is expected to ruled Hintzen likely died of a combination of smoke inhalation and thermal burns.
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