Tuskegee police investigating fire, homicide

What was initially being investigated as a house fire is now being treated as a homicide scene after the badly beaten body of Mary Hagins, a 79-year-old retired educator, was found in her Tuskegee home early Saturday morning.

“The incident was reported between 10 and 10:30 p.m. Friday night as a house fire,” said Tuskegee Police Chief Lester C. Patrick.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found Hagins’ 2012 Old Montgomery Rd. home on fire, which emergency personnel were able to bring under control before the home was completely engulfed.

Upon further investigation officers found Hagins’ body inside the home.

“The cause of death in this case has been attributed to blunt force trauma to the head,” said Patrick.

Macon County Coroner Hal E. Bentley confirmed Hagins died of blunt force injuries to the head, most likely from a glass object.

“The fire was set to cover up the homicide,” Bentley said.

Further tests by the Alabama Department of Forensic Science in Montgomery are still pending, according to Bentley.

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation, Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office and Tuskegee Fire Marshal’s Office are all working on the investigation, Patrick said.

“We have been able to collect evidence from the scene and are investigating a person of interest at this time,” added Patrick.

Patrick said he’s already heard concerns from a number of residents in the area.

“I know that residents are especially concerned when they hear that someone was beaten to death in their own home, but we’re working hard on this case to hopefully bring swift justice to whomever is responsible,” said Patrick.