Marietta man arrested in connection with deadly house fire, victim identified

Updated 6/25/12 (5:30 p.m.):

MARIETTA, S.C. – The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 48-year-old Gregory Eugene McCarson (pictured below) in connection with the murder and subsequent house fire that took place early Monday morning at 110 Trammell Road in Marietta.

The death investigation was officially ruled a homicide as a result of the autopsy performed on Monday afternoon, according to investigators with the Sheriff's Office.

The victim – identified as 54-year-old Robert Simeon Neloms – is said to have died from blunt force trauma to the head and was deceased before the residence was set on fire, investigators said.

Both men lived at the home.

McCarson was located on foot in the area of I-85 and I-185 by Greenville County Deputies at approximately 10:00 a.m. after he wrecked Nelom's truck.

Investigators believe McCarson stole the vehicle after killing Nelom and setting the home on fire.

McCarson is currently being held at the Greenville County Detention Center and is scheduled for a bond hearing at 9:30 p.m. He has been charged with murder, and additional charges are pending.

…Original story below...

Original Story 6/25/12 (11:58 a.m.):

MARIETTA, S.C. – A body was found in a Marietta home following a fire, according to investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office.

Shortly after midnight, the Slater-Marietta Fire Department responded to a house fire on Trammell Road.

At approximately 2:00 a.m., firefighters discovered a body inside the home. They requested that the Sheriff’s Office send an arson investigator and a homicide investigator.

The Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the fire in addition to conducting a death investigation.

Greenville County Deputy Coroner Barry Wright said the death was "suspicious".

We will continue to update this story as it develops...