WASHINGTON — An arrest has been made in connection with the death of 66-year-old Awlachew Ayele, of Northeast D.C., who was found dead in an apartment in January.
Garrett Taylor, 40, also of Northeast D.C., was arrested and charged with first-degree murder on Friday, police say.
On Jan. 26, around 7:30 a.m., D.C. Fire and EMS responded to reports of a fire in the 1100 block of Queen Street in Northeast D.C. They found Ayele inside the apartment. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials later said that the fire was incendiary, which means the blaze was intentionally set.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of Ayele’s death to be smoke and soot inhalation, along with multiple blunt force injuries on June 7. His death was ruled a homicide.
Below is a map of where police say Ayele was found.
