April 1, 2025 - Merced County Sheriff's Office officials report Merced County Coroner’s Office has positively identified the victim found in a suspicious residential fire earlier this week as Arthur Raymond Anguiano, 39,of Merced.

An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted later this week to assist investigators in determining the cause and manner of death.

On March 31, 2025, at approximately 8:45 AM, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a tree on fire in the backyard of a vacant residence in the 2300 block of Beachwood Drive in Merced. While extinguishing the fire, Merced County Fire personnel discovered a burned body inside the residence.

The case remains under active investigation by Merced County Fire Arson Investigators and Sheriff’s Investigators.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at (209) 385-7445.

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March 31, 2025 - Merced, CA. - Merced County Sheriff's Office officials report on Monday, March 31, 2025 at approximately 8:45 A.M., the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a tree on fire in the backyard of a vacant residence in the 2300 block of Beachwood Drive in Merced.

Merced County Fire personnel responded to the scene and, while working to extinguish the fire, discovered a burned body inside the residence.

Merced County Fire Arson Investigators, along with investigators from the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, are actively working to determine the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

This is an ongoing investigation, and more details will be released as they become available.

We ask the public to please avoid the area while the investigation continues.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at (209) 385-7445


Source: Merced County Sheriff's Office