Old Woman Cut To Pieces, Grandson Tried To Burn Body In Cover-Up Try

A 77-year-old woman was found decapitated with several of her body parts cut after authorities got to her house which was set on fire. Police immediately called the Marion County Fire Rescue and obtained a search warrant thereafter to investigate the matter.

When a team led by Detective Billy Burleson made their checks, they discovered some cutting tools near the victim’s body as well as a laundry basket that contained some of her body parts. The victim was identified as Alice Trench.

Aside from these, investigators also found a surveillance camera. It was here where they were able to find videos on what had happened before the blaze. This helped them collar the suspect, identified as Nicholas James Trent. He was found at a daycare center running naked after which he was taken into custody.

During questioning, the 31-year-old man alleged he could not remember anything before he was arrested. However, Nicholas was seen in video surveillance footage getting a handsaw and disposing of a garbage bag filled with clothes that were stained with blood. He was also spotted starting the fire with some accelerants.

Per the Medical Examiner’s office, the cause of death of Alice Trench was due to strangulation, suffocation and blunt force trauma. It would, later on, be reported that the fire was purposely set inside the home.

Nicholas Trench was found to be the only person inside the residence at the time. He is now facing charges at the Marion County Jail without bond. He is booked for second-degree murder, first-degree arson and abuse of a dead body.