Tyler man accused of murder after woman’s body found in house fire

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Tyler police have arrested a man for alleged murder after crews responded to a house fire and found a woman's body in a back room.

According to Tyler Police PIO Andy Erbaugh, crews were sent to a residential fire at about 3:35 a.m. on Monday in the 3300 block of Shady Trail. Erbaugh said when the fire was put out, a woman's body was found in the back room. Her identity is still being investigated, and her body has been sent for autopsy, Erbaugh said.

At about 3:55 a.m., Gregory Bargaineer, 67, of Tyler, entered the lobby of the Smith County Jail and began talking about an incident with a woman at the home on Shady Trail, Erbaugh said. He was interviewed by police detectives and fire investigators.

Based on evidence from the interview, a warrant for murder was issued and Bargaineer has been booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $750,000.

Erbaugh said the case is still under investigation.