Woman Found in Burning Severn House a Homicide Victim

SEVERN, MD — A woman found dead inside a burning Severn home died of trauma to her upper body, say investigators, who believe the victim was targeted in the homicide.

Diana Lynn Knight, 59, of the 1200 block of Old Camp Meade Road in Severn was found deceased early Thursday by Anne Arundel County firefighters in a home.

The body of an unidentified white male was found Friday in the burned debris and an autopsy done Saturday to determine his cause of death. Homicide detectives are working with the medical examiner to identify the deceased male.

Anne Arundel County Police homicide detectives say this was not a random act of violence.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to the dwelling fire in the 1200 block of Old Camp Meade Road about 3:40 a.m. Thursday. The residence was being renovated after it had been damaged in a previous fire in February 2015.

Once firefighters had the fire under control, they found Knight’s body on the first floor of the residence.

SEE ALSO: Second Fire at Severn House Kills One, One Missing (Update)

Firefighters had to stabilize the ruins of the house to search for a second victim presumed to have perished in the house, so they didn’t enter the building Thursday.

On Friday, trained cadaver dogs from Bay Area Recovery Canines went through the debris with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department /Fire Marshall’s office and homicide detectives.

About 11:55 a.m. Friday, the body of an unidentified white male was located in the rubble by Fire Department personnel.

The Anne Arundel County Police ask anyone with information to call Homicide Detective Dan Myers at 410-222-3413. To share tips and remain anonymous, contact the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line 410-222-4700 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP or text “MCS plus your message” to CRIMES (274637).

»Photo of fatal Severn fire scene, from Anne Arundel County Fire Twitter feed