Published: November 07, 2009 08:05 pm      

Local man murdered in his apartment

Victim found with stab wounds; SPD has ‘person of interest’ in case

Somerset Police are investigating an apparent murder that took place in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Homer Carrender, 72, a resident of Pleasant Hill Apartments on McKee Road, was discovered dead by Somerset Police Officers at approximately 1:44 a.m. Saturday morning. No incident had been reported to 911 dispatch, but the situation caught the attention of officers while out on patrol when they discovered Carrender’s vehicle some distance away from his home.

“Patrol officers were trying to ascertain from the victim why his vehicle was located at an odd area at an odd time,” said Somerset Police Detective Shannon Smith.

When Carrender didn’t answer his door, those officers asked for assistance from the apartment’s maintenance staff to gain entry into Carrender’s home. It was then that they discovered his body.

The initial investigation showed Carrender had been the victim of a homicide, and Carrender was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 2:30 am. by Chief Deputy Coroner Jim McWhorter.

Smith said Officer Matthew Gates first discovered the vehicle, which eventually led to the discovery of Carrender.

“He kind of started this whole process in motion,” Smith said. “We may still not have found (Carrender) ... and we would be even further behind the curve than we were when we found him this morning.”

According to McWhorter, an autopsy revealed that Carrender had received several stab wounds, and that he had received two lethal stab wounds to the center of his chest. There was also evidence that Carrender had received blunt force trauma injuries to the head and face.

McWhorter said it appeared Carrender died as a result of his injuries several hours before he arrived on the scene.

Smith said they have identified a person of interest in the case, but he declined to release that person’s identity, stating the investigation is still in its early stages.

“There are a lot of details that I’m just not willing to release just yet because it’s a complicated case, one, and two, some specific details are so vital to the investigation that releasing those details may compromise the case,” Smith said.

When asked whether authorities anticipated an arrest within the next 24 hours, Smith could only say he was confident enough evidence will be compiled to bring an end to the investigation.

“I’m optimistic that we will get to the bottom of this, whether that’s today or later,” Smith said, noting that a “quality case comes first, and not a quick arrest.”

Smith was able to confirm that Carrender did not die as a result of a domestic dispute. Carrender resided alone in the apartment.

“From everything we’ve found out, Mr. Carrender was a very well-liked and nice person,” Smith said. “It’s a shame something like this has happened and our condolences go out to his family.”

“We’re doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this,” Smith added.

The case is under investigation by detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division.

SPD units were assisted by the Somerset-Pulaski County EMS, the Pulaski County Coroner’s Office, and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department.

Further details will be released when they become available.