Body found in burning St. Helena shed may be homicide victim

A body was found in a burning shed on St. Helena Island early Friday, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

The body was found around 8 a.m., when a deputy was called to the scene to investigate the fire on B. Wilson Lane, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release.

The body will be sent to the Medical University of South Carolina to undergo a forensic autopsy.

Investigators believe the person’s identity will be determined during that autopsy, the release said.

Capt. Bob Bromage said Friday that the death is being investigated as a homicide unless evidence leads authorities down another avenue.

He could not say whether the person is male or female.

Firefighters were called to the scene after a resident in the area saw the fire, Bromage said.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s arson investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.

This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 10:52 AM with the headline "Body found in burning St. Helena shed may be homicide victim."