A body found after a building blaze in Kansas City has been ruled a homicide. Firefighters responding to a fire at a vacant church in the 2400 block of Chestnut Avenue in the early morning of February 1, 2025, discovered 66-year-old Dwayne Blair, a Black male, in the charred remains. The death was initially treated as a fire fatality but an autopsy revealed a gunshot wound, and homicide detectives took over the investigation.

The cause of the fire is also under review by the police bomb and arson unit. Authorities described the death as suspicious and said detectives are making headway in identifying a person of interest, but no arrests or formal suspects have been announced and the motive remains unknown. A substantial reward has been offered for information that could lead to an arrest.

If anyone knew Dwayne Blair or has information about that church, the fire, or activity in the area that night, contact Kansas City police with tips.