This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Willard, Box Elder County • A man found dead in a Willard house fire has been identified as the brother of the homeowner.
Willard police Chief Nate Thompson told The Standard-Examiner of Ogden that 26-year-old Eric Lankford was identified from dental records after his body was found in the ruins of the June 27 fire.
Thompson says the victim shared the home recently with 28-year-old Jeremy Lankford, who is still a "person of interest" in an ongoing investigation.
Jeremy Lankford was arrested the same day of the fire on suspicion of obstruction of justice after he allegedly refused to exit his truck and talk to officers.
Thompson says the brothers were involved in an altercation two hours before the fire broke out that included the breaking of Eric Lankford's computer equipment and TV, and the smashing of the windows of Jeremy Lankford's home.