Deputies identify victim in Foley fire

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man who died during a residential fire Tuesday on Poser Road in Foley as Kenneth Roger O’Leary. Investigators believe O’Leary likely suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound before starting the fire.

On Tuesday deputies with the BCSO Uniform Services Division responded to assist the Foley Fire Department with an active residential fire located at 11564 Poser Road in Foley. O’Leary, 64, was discovered deceased inside of the residence by first responders. The Deputy State Fire Marshal’s Department conducted a preliminary investigation and found O’Leary sustained a single gunshot wound to his head at some point during the event.

The BCSO Criminal Investigations Division, along with the Crime Scene Unit, responded to the scene to conduct a homicide investigation. Investigators processed the scene, canvassed the area and conducted interviews with nearby residents.

The investigation is ongoing, but the BCSO said evidence indicates the gunshot wound O’Leary sustained may have been self-inflicted. Evidence also points to O’Leary starting the fire himself.

O’Leary’s body has been transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Mobile for an autopsy. The ongoing investigation will be conducted as a joint investigation with the State of Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office and the Foley Fire Department.