STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE CECIL COUNTY HOMICIDE

(Earlville, MD) – Maryland State Police are conducting an investigation into the death of a 71-year old man found inside his home in Cecil County this morning.

The deceased victim is identified as John R. Flemming, 71, of the unit block of New Jersey Avenue in Earlville, Maryland. The cause and manner of death are unknown at this time.

Shortly before 9:00 a.m. today, police received an emergency phone call from a friend of the victim. The friend reportedly found Flemming unconscious and unresponsive inside his Cecil County residence after locating Flemming’s vehicle less than a mile from his home. Police believe Flemming lived alone.

The friend reported to police after he apparently discovered Flemming’s truck on the side of the road, with the lights on, the keys left in the ignition and a broken out window. Flemming was not in the vehicle. The friend then removed the keys and went to Flemming’s home and found it unlocked. Flemming was found lying on the floor and immediately called 9-1-1.

Sheriff’s deputies from the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office and state troopers from the North East Barrack responded and immediately secured the surrounding area. Flemming was pronounced dead at the scene and will be taken to the Office of the State Medical Examiner for autopsy.

The Cecil County Sheriff’s Office requested investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit to take the lead in initiating the death investigation. State police crime scene technicians are processing the scene for evidence.

Due to the suspicious nature of the crime scene, investigators are treating this case as a homicide. A motive for the murder has not been determined.

Police are asking anyone who may have seen Flemming or anything unusual around his neighborhood to please call the Maryland State Police at the North East Barracks at 410-996-7800.

The investigation continues…