Suspect arrested in suspicious death, fire
Ponca City Now - June 27, 2019 3:51 pm
Joseph David Paul Fender
CLEVELAND, Okla. – A suspect is in custody in connection with a suspicious death and fire that occurred in Cleveland, Okla.
A 34-year-old Cleveland resident, Joseph David Paul Fender, is facing charges including murder in the first degree, arson and burglary.
On June 14, the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office requested OSBI assistance with the investigation after human remains were found in a burned residence in the 54000 block of South 36520 Road in Cleveland. The fire was set at the residence on June 6 and was put out by fire crews. Human remains were found in the debris a week later. Positive identification of the victim is pending.
The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiners, Oklahoma State Fire Marshal’s Office, Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the OSBI worked collaboratively on this investigation.
