Homicide victim found at house fire identified

The man found dead inside a burning Woodland home Tuesday morning has been identified by a coroner.

Donald William Howard, 62, was a residence of the home where his body was found, according to a press release from the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office. Howard died of blunt-force trauma, and his death was a homicide, according to the Cowlitz County Office of the Coroner.

Crews with Clark County Fire & Rescue responded to the fire at 2145 Dahlia St. at 4:35 a.m. Tuesday, and after quickly extinguishing the flames, they found the body. Firefighters withdrew from the building and turned the crime scene over to the Woodland Police Department. Authorities said that the fire appeared intentionally set.

Detectives finished examining the crime scene early Thursday morning and are continuing to seek tips from the public in the case, police said.

“We have received several tips from the public and are grateful that people have contacted us,” said Charlie Rosenzweig, chief criminal deputy with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.

He asked that people contact sheriff’s Sgt. Brad Thurman at 360-577-3092 with additional tips, “especially if anyone had seen or had contact with Howard on Sunday or Monday. This case is very active, and we will continue to work on this with as much resources as are available.”

People also can leave a tip with the sheriff’s office using the tip411 app on a smart phone, police said.