Police find charred remains of murder suspect

During the early morning hours of Nov. 1, the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office that during the investigation of a structure fire in Edgewater Township, a body was located that appeared to be the victim of a homicide.

Sawyer County authorities further indicated that through their investigation they were currently seeking a possible suspect that may be in Washburn or Sawyer County.

A man hunt was initiated in Washburn County, which included personnel from the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office, Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, Spooner Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, National Park Service, Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, Wisconsin State Fire Marshall’s Office and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Aviation Division.

After several hours of searching and interviewing area residents, the suspect’s vehicle was located in Washburn County at a residence located on County Highway A, northeast of the city of Spooner.

The Washburn County Special Response Team and Sawyer County S.W.A.T. teams were activated. Using an armored vehicle provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the response teams converged on the County Highway A residence where the suspect’s vehicle had been located.

After the area was contained by the Special Response Teams, and receiving no response from within the residence, chemical munitions were deployed and the residence was searched, finding no inhabitants in the building. During the assault on the residence by the Special Response teams, a charred body was located near the residence in a smoldering fire. Due to the burned condition of the body, it was transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification and forensic examination.

While officers were processing the scene in Washburn County, improvised explosive devices were encountered. At this time area residents were evacuated from their homes and all activity at the scene was halted until the scene was rendered safe by the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad.

Investigations continue in both Washburn and Sawyer Counties regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of the two individuals found at the fire scenes in Sawyer and Washburn Counties.

Currently all indications are that suspect, 31-year-old Arthur Achilles Garcia, a resident of Stone Lake, was responsible for the death of 43-year-old David W. Palm. After shooting David Palm, it is believed that Garcia started the fire at 1332 County Road F, Birchwood. Indications are that Garcia then proceeded to the City of Spooner where he was observed drinking in local bars. It is believed that Garcia went to the County highway address after leaving the City of Spooner, and ultimately started another fire and took his own life.

Prior to his suicide, Garcia informed several acquaintances that he was responsible for the death of Palm, and the arson at the Palm house.

The examination of the Garcia death scene indicates Garcia shot himself and simultaneously incinerated himself on a pile of burning tires. Officials located two handguns in the debris. One of those guns is believed to be the weapon used to murder David Palm.

Preliminary reports indicate that Garcia had a previous relationship with Palm’s sister. That relationship ended a couple of years ago. The couple had child together. It is believed that Garcia had a vendetta against the Palm family due to the break-up of the relationship and also child custody issues.

This investigation continues in both Washburn and Sawyer counties.