Rockville Explosion: Homeowner Died Of Suicide, Body Found In Blast

ROCKVILLE, MD — The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore conducted an autopsy of the body found at the Rockville home that exploded early Friday morning, and the victim was identified as the homeowner Steven Martin Beck, 61. The cause of death was ruled as suicide with a gunshot wound, Montgomery County Police announced Monday.

The house on Ashley Drive near Grayling Lane exploded and burned shortly before 1 a.m. Friday, said fire department spokesman Pete Piringer. When firefighters arrived at the scene, the house at 11422 Ashley Drive was destroyed and debris was scattered throughout the neighborhood. About a dozen nearby homes were damaged by the blast.

Search crews at the scene of the home found a body of an adult — now identified as Beck — and a dog, authorities said at a Saturday briefing.

Crews found Beck's body in the basement of the home, and the dog was located deceased near Beck. The dog's cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound as well, Montgomery County Police announced.

>> See Related: UPDATE: Body Found At Site Of Rockville Home Explosion, Cause Undetermined

In all, ten homes and nine vehicles were damaged by the blast and flying debris. One home is now unsafe to occupy and the family has been displaced.

WTOP reports the home was in foreclosure and was supposed to be sold at auction on Friday afternoon, according to an auction listing on RealtyTrac.com. Utilities were also reportedly turned off to the house.

No other injuries were reported by neighbors or firefighters.

The Major Crimes Division continues to work with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Fire Marshals, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to determine the circumstances that led to this event.

Additional reporting by Patch Editor Deb Belt.

»Video and photos courtesy of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services