2012 Jacob "jack" Thomas Markowitz 8-8-2012

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A body was discovered Wednesday inside a burning truck on Hwy 57, just south of Interstate 10. Investigators aren't releasing many details, but say they are treating it as a homicide.

A witness called WLOX News Wednesday morning around 11am and said she had seen smoke coming from a truck on Hwy 57, and called authorities. When they arrived, they found a body inside the truck, but can't say for sure yet if the victim is a man or a woman.

WLOX News has a crew on the scene and will have more details later today

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GAUTIER -- Police on Wednesday discovered a body inside a burning truck on Mississippi 57 south of Interstate 10, Gautier police Sgt. Matt Hoggatt said.

Police received a call about a burning pickup on 57 near Firestone Road and when they arrived shortly after 11 a.m., they found the truck and then the body inside.

"We have no indication of a crash so we are working this case as a suspicious fire," Hoggatt said. "The body is burned to the point that we are not releasing a gender or age or anything of that nature."

Authorities are currently at the scene and have confirmed that the body found is a male body.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/08/08/411349...l#storylink=cpy

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By MARGARET BAKER — mbbaker@sunherald.com


GAUTIER -- Police on Wednesday responded to a report of a truck fire and discovered the charred remains of a man inside the cab of a maroon Dodge Ram on the corner of Firestone Road at Mississippi 57, just south of Interstate 10.

Police Sgt. Matt Hoggatt said police and firefighters responded to the scene shortly after receiving a 911 call around 11 a.m. about a pickup truck on fire on the side of Firestone Road.

The truck appeared to have been parked on the side of the road.

As first responders began the process of extinguishing the fire, they noticed what appeared to be the remains of man inside the truck's cab. Police cordoned off the area surrounding the truck with yellow crime scene tape to look for evidence.

"We have no indication of a crash so we are working this case as a suspicious case," Hoggatt said at the scene.

A short time later, Detective Jerry Cooksey said the case was being treated as a homicide "unless we prove otherwise."

Jackson County Coro

ner Vicki Broadus arrived at the scene to retrieve the body. An autopsy to determine the cause of death is scheduled today.

Police did not identify the dead man pending notification of next of kin.

In addition, Hoggatt said authorities wanted to wait on the results of the autopsy as part of their probe.

Gautier authorities called in the state Fire Marshal's Office and officials with the Mississippi State Crime Lab to assist in the investigation.

Police are asking anyone with information to call them at 497-2486 or Crime Stoppers at 1-877-787-5898 or text CSTIP plus your message to CRIMES (274-637) or go to mscoastcrimestoppers.com

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/08/08/411349...l#storylink=cpy

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The results of an autopsy are in and show the man found dead inside a burning truck Wednesday along Highway 57 is The results of an autopsy are in and show the man found dead inside a burning truck Wednesday along Highway 57 is Jacob "Jack" Thomas Markowitz, 61, of Biloxi.

"During the autopsy, it was determined that Markowitz died as the result of a gunshot wound," said Detective Captain Danny Selover who was present during the autopsy.

Steven Michael Brown Sr. is charged with capital murder in Markowitz's death. Thursday, Gautier Municipal Judge Jason Thornton. set Brown's bond at $1 million.

An initial appearance is planned for Monday, August 13, at the Gautier Municipal Courtroom.
WLOX