The Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate the death of a Baxter County man Monday evening, March 18th.  At approximately 9:56 PM, the Sheriff’s Office was notified that the Midway Volunteer Fire Department had found a body while combating an out of control brush fire in the area of Peace Valley Lane. 

     A fire fighter stated that while he was walking in the area he found the body of a man, later identified as 79 year old JOHN P. HEENAN.  MR. HEENAN is believed to be the owner of the property in question.  The victim was found approximately 120 feet from where his 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was parked.  Evidence indicated that the victim had succumbed to the fire, and a portion of his vehicle was also damaged by the fire. 

     Sheriff’s Investigators and the Baxter County Coroner’s Office were called to the scene.  The body of the victim is being sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s Office in Little Rock for autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.  Investigators believe the death to be accidental.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff