Cary homeowner dies, investigation continues into woman's death after body found in fire pit
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Cary Police Department confirms the homeowner connected to the investigation of a body found in fire pit debris has died.
Ian Delauder shot himself on Sunday, March 19 shortly after firefighters responded to a call about an illegal trash burn and found a woman's body. Delauder's death has been ruled a suicide. Police said Delauder was the suspect in the death of 34-year-old Cecily Anne Walker (aka Cecily Anne Walker-Scott) of Raleigh, NC whose body was found in a homemade firepit at 618 Dorset Drive.
"Although the exact cause and time of her death are still under investigation, her death has been ruled a homicide. The death of Ian Delauder brings us one step closer to finalizing this case, however, this is still an active investigation. Investigators are working to ensure no evidence has been overlooked. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of Cecily Walker-Scott and Ian Delauder as they move forward from this tragic event, Cary Police said in news release.
People who live in that area, as well as the Cary Police Department, said the discoveries are disturbing.
Tuesday afternoon, police identified the body found in the burn pit debris as 34-year-old Cecily Anne Walker of Raleigh. They said she also went by the name Cecily Anne Walker-Scott. Her death has been ruled a homicide.
Investigators said they're not releasing the identity of another woman found unharmed on the property.
David Rice lives behind the property. He saw smoke Sunday but never could have imagined what would be discovered.
"I was really shocked that they found remains in the fire pit," said Rice.
The autopsy is still being performed on Walker's remains.
Police are hoping the results will reveal how she was killed. They're also still investigating Walker's connection to Delauder.
"That's pretty sad," said Rice. "Sad about anybody getting hurt."
ABC11 learned that police have been called to the home quite a bit. There were 18 calls for service since 2022, including one in November for an armed robbery.
Delauder was arrested last month on drug charges.
"We do have a history with him. We do know of him. So this latest incident is just another event we're looking into," said Cary Police Sgt. Kenric Alexander.
--PREVIOUS REPORT--
"We are just as disturbed as everyone else. This is not a typical event that happens in Cary. We're typically ranked as one of the safest cities and we're very proud of that distinction, however, that does not mean we're immune to things happening here," said Sgt. Kenric Alexander.
"It is raising a lot of questions not only within the community but also at the police department."
The body has been sent for an autopsy.
"It was so charred, we are unable to identify the gender, the race of the remains. So we are hoping with it being sent to the Medical Examiner's Office, that they can give us that actual identity and more than that, we are hoping they can give us a time of death and cause of death - which is vital information,' said Alexander.
A woman was also found inside another RV on this property.
Police told ABC11 that the woman is cooperating with investigators and they're working to figure out the connection between all the individuals.
In 2022, Cary was named America's Safest City by Good Hire, a background check company. They use FBI crime data to determine the safest and least safe cities in the country. The study looked at property, violent, and societal crimes, then ranked each city by its rate of offenses per 1,000 people.
