The Pasco Sheriff's Office arrested a 23-year-old man New Year's Day, saying he killed his father inside a Holiday home.
Pasco Fire Rescue responded to 5617 Mosiac Drive about 10:20 p.m. Monday. While searching the home, firefighters say they found the body of Rene' Dominique Vercruysse, 52.
The medical examiner's preliminary autopsy said the father died of homicidal violence, not injuries suffered in a fire.
Detectives believe a dispute arose between Baron Von Duke Vercruysse and his father and sometime before the fire on New Year's Eve Baron killed his father.
Detectives in the major crimes unit found and arrested Baron in the Holiday Lakes Estates area.
“I looked out the front window and I saw a person walking across the front of the porch area and screaming. Not just New Year’s day screaming. It was screaming, scary screaming,” said neighbor Randall Tilton.
Forensic teams and investigators spent most of the day at the house going over evidence. Tilton said he knew the victim and can’t believe this happened.
Baron Von Duke Vercruysse in the Land O'Lakes jail on first degree murder and arson charges.