Man accused of shooting, killing woman before setting Fort Myers home on fire

A man was arrested on Saturday after being accused of shooting a woman inside a home and then setting the home on fire in Fort Myers.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, George Beemer, 23, called 911 and reported experiencing chest pain on the morning of July 25. Lee County EMS responded to the home on Ranchette Road and transported Beemer to a local hospital for evaluation.

Soon after EMS left the home, a second 911 call reported a fire at the same location. South Trail fire crews entered the home to extinguish the flames and located the severely burned, dead body of a woman, LCSO said.

LCSO's Major Crimes Unit responded to the home and assumed the investigation, while the Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations opened a parallel investigation to determine the cause and origin of the fire.

During the investigation, deputies developed probable cause that Beemer had shot the victim before intentionally setting the home on fire, LCSO said.

Beemer was arrested and faces charges of second-degree murder, first-degree arson, and the abuse of a dead human body.

"This is one of the most horrific acts of violence imaginable," Sheriff Carmine Marceno said. "The cruelty in this case is beyond comprehension, and I am incredibly proud of the swift, coordinated response by our deputies, fire and EMS personnel, and Major Crimes detectives, whose relentless work uncovered the truth, and justice began without delay."