Anchor: Gracie Fusco
•7/27/2026
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — The Lee County Sheriff's Office has charged a 23-year-old man accused of homicide and residential fire at a home on Ranchette Road.
George Beemer was arrested on July 25, 2026, and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree arson, and abuse of a dead human body.
According to a press release, Lee County EMS responded to 11417 Ranchette Road earlier that morning after Beemer reported experiencing chest pain.
He was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Shortly after EMS departed, a second 911 call reported a fire at the same residence.
South Trail Fire entered the home to extinguish the blaze and located the body of a severely burned, deceased female inside. The Major Crimes Unit responded and assumed the investigation.
The Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations initiated a parallel investigation to determine the cause and origin of the fire. Detectives developed probable cause that Beemer shot the victim before intentionally setting the residence on fire.
"Major Crimes detectives, Crime Scene investigators, and our partners with the fire service immediately recognized that something wasn't right. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and relentless investigative work ensured a swift arrest was made," Sheriff Carmine Marceno said.
"My prayers remain with the victim and loved ones as they begin to process this unimaginable tragedy. They deserve answers, and we will continue working tirelessly to provide them," Marceno said.
Beemer was transported to the Lee County Jail, where he remains in custody.
The investigation will remain active while the sheriff's office works with the District 21 Medical Examiner's Office and the State Attorney's Office.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office shared body camera footage of the arrest. Click here for more.
