Police: Body found in burned house is missing Winter Garden man

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Human remains found in an abandoned home that was destroyed by fire Thursday are those of Frank Wright, a Winter Garden man,  authorities said Friday night.

The fire happened in a home on Radiant Circle, just south of Apopka. Investigators said the home was in foreclosure and had been abandoned for about a year.

"We've seen a few grocery carts, her and there, but it's been a long time, since we've seen any activity there. It's been empty, but the back fence has been knocked over for about four months," said a neighbor.

Investigators said they are calling the death a homicide because of evidence they found when they examined the body. However, they have not revealed what that evidence is.

Officers said they spent the morning examining the charred house and car, with the homicide victim's body inside it.

Neighbors called 911 at about 4 a.m. to report the fire.

 "In the garage, they found a vehicle. The vehicle had been fully burned up. In the area of the car, they found they had a body. We're not certain if it's a man or a woman," said Jeff Williamson of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Finding the owner of the vehicle should offer a key piece of evidence, according to investigators.

Investigators said they suspect the fire was arson, possibly to cover up a crime.

"Because we didn't have any evidence that anyone was living here, all the neighbors reported the house was vacant, obviously that's going to raise questions," said John Mulhall of Orange County Fire Rescue.

The sheriff's office has not released the manner of death.

An autopsy performed Friday at the medical examiner's office confirmed the body to be that of Wright.

WFTV