Homeless Man Charged With Murder, Arson In Titusville House Fire
By Space Coast Daily // May 6, 2015
Don Lyle Leach, 56, of titusville charged
BREVARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA – The Titusville Police Department has identified the victim found dead in a burned-out abandoned house on Tuesday morning as Jeremy Pileggi, 27, of Titusville.
An investigation conducted by the Titusville police revealed that Don Lyle Leach, 56, of Titusville, was angry with Pileggi and intentionally set the fire, according to Titusville Police Commander Todd Hutchinson.
Commander Hutchinson said the suspect and the victim were homeless and involved in a dispute and the victim was likely sleeping in the abandoned house when the suspect ignited a fire on the porch of the home.
Because most of the windows and doorways of the vacant house were boarded up, it would have been particularly difficult for the victim to have escaped.
The medical examination today confirmed he died as a result of the fire.
According to Commander Hutchinson, TPD Detectives developed leads early in the case, including an eyewitness who saw the suspect running from the scene. Leach was taken into custody at the police department after being questioned by investigators.
He was booked into Brevard County jail and charged with 1st Degree Murder and Arson.
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ORIGINAL STORY: May 5, 2015
One Victim Found Dead In Early Morning Titusville Blaze On Garden Street
BREVARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA – Titusville Fire and Emergency Services reported a fatality after responding to a report of a structure fire on Park Avenue just behind the Sunoco gas station on Garden Street at 3:20 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
Crews were advised the house was vacant and has been abandoned for years as Battalion 3; D-10, E-10, E-11, E-12, R-13; and EMS-1 responded to the blaze.
The flames were high in the air above the Sunoco station with crews reporting a glow while responding from several blocks away from the location.
Within minutes E-11, District 10 and E-10 arrived to find heavy fire from the rear of the structure which had vented through the roof. District 10 established command, while E-11 completed an inspection of the building, confirming heavy fire in the back with 50 percent involvement of the structure.
It was noted upon the walk-around that the house appeared vacant, with windows and front door boarded up. E-12 arrived and pulled an additional line to the rear of the house to assist in knockdown of the fire.
R-13 and EMS 1 arrived with R-13 assisting in pulling boards from the window to make further access to the fire, and assure there were no occupants.
Upon doing so, a victim was located in the house.
According to Titusville Fire and Emergency Services, the fire was reported out at 3:34 a.m.
When deemed safe, access was made through the front door and a search was completed of the accessible areas of the house with no other persons found.
Due to the circumstances of the fire involving a fatality, the State Fire Marshal’s office has been notified and the fire is under investigation.
The Titusville Police Department is on-scene with crews awaiting the State Fire Marshal.
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ABOVE MAP: Titusville Fire and Emergency Services reported a fatality after responding to a report of a structure fire on Park Avenue just behind the Sunoco gas station on Garden Street at 3:20 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
