FLORAL CITY, Fla. — A structure fire early Tuesday morning in Citrus County has turned into a homicide investigation, ending with the arrest of a suspect following an hours-long manhunt.
At approximately 6:30 a.m. on April 7, Citrus County deputies and fire-rescue crews responded to a fire on East Hawk Lane. While extinguishing the flames, firefighters located one deceased individual inside the structure.
Investigators quickly identified a suspect as 37-year-old William Michael Larsen and launched a search for his whereabouts. Authorities asked the public for assistance, providing a description of a white GMC pickup truck believed to be connected to the case.
By early afternoon, deputies located the suspect’s vehicle in the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest. Search efforts focused on the area around East Dolphin Drive and South Withlapopka Drive, as well as Trail 10 within the forest.
At approximately 4:00 p.m., deputies located Larsen and took him into custody.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials say additional details will be released as they become available. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (352) 249-2790.