LYNCHBURG, Va. – UPDATE - Aug. 18
The Church of Brethren held a grieving service Friday after a man was found on fire in the woods behind the church Sunday.
The church told 10 News they cleaned out the woods in the spring, but have found clothing and trash in the area. Members say the victim may have been part of the homeless population.
“We didn’t know the man, but we know how the death of anyone affects us all,” the church said in a Facebook post.
UPDATE
10 News has obtained court documents that reveal more details about the death of a man whose body was found on fire in the woods Sunday.
At about 9:47 p.m., officers with the Lynchburg Police Department were dispatched to the 200 block of Atlanta Ave after receiving a report about a man on fire.
After arriving at the scene, the Lynchburg Fire Department confirmed that the man, identified by the 911 caller as Darryl Farrar, had died.
Further investigation led the police to identify two individuals who had been in recent contact with Farrar.
The pair, who told police that they were friends of Farrar’s, were brought to the West Building for questioning about the events leading up to Farrar’s death.
According to documents, one of those friends had gotten into a confrontation with Farrar the night of his death.
Police also discovered that that friend had two phones, one of which was Farrar’s. When asked why they had the phone, the individual said Farrar gave them the phone to use to communicate with their employer. They didn’t elaborate on why they still had the phone after initially using it.
Lynchburg Police have seized both phones as part of their investigation into the details surrounding Farrar’s death.
Stay with 10 News as this breaking news story develops
ORIGINAL STORY
The Lynchburg Police Department is investigating after they said a man’s body was found on fire in the woods.
On Aug. 13 at 9:47 p.m., officers and crews with the Lynchburg Fire Department responded to the 200 block of Atlanta Avenue about a person who was unresponsive and on fire, according to LPD.
We’re told crews were able to put out the blaze “in a timely manner.”
Police said criminal and crime scene detectives also responded to the scene in order to collect evidence, as well as to interview anyone who may have seen anything.
This is an ongoing investigation, and there is no active threat to the public, authorities said.
If you know anything about this incident, you’re asked to contact Detective Scott at (434) 942-7943, Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900, enter a tip online or use the P3 app on a mobile device.
Lynchburg police are also asking anyone who may have captured video of this incident on a security or doorbell camera to call them at (434) 455-6174 or share the footage on the Neighbors portal.