Police have captured the suspect wanted in connection with the killing of his father and a house fire in Greenville, Orange County, bringing an end to the manhunt that began after the deadly incident.
The suspect, 32-year-old Thomas David Ryan, was sought after firefighters responded to a fire at a home on Greenville Turnpike on Thursday evening and found a deceased man inside.
Investigators determined that the fire had been deliberately set and began investigating the death as a homicide. Police later identified Ryan as the person wanted in connection with the case.
The victim was identified by family members as 70-year-old Robert Ryan, Thomas Ryan’s father. Authorities had warned that Ryan could be armed and dangerous and had urged the public not to approach him if spotted.
During the search, investigators believed Ryan may have been traveling in his father’s gray 2016 Toyota Prius. Police also asked residents in the Greenville area to review home-security footage for possible clues about his movements.
With Ryan now captured, investigators are expected to focus on establishing exactly what happened inside the home, what led to his father’s death and why the residence was set on fire.
A motive has not been publicly disclosed.
