Chief: Stabbing victim found in fire pit unrecognizable

Prouse/ Vigo County Jail

UPDATE 8/23/16 - Terre Haute Police Department Chief Shawn Keen confirms today that victim in Sunday’s homicide has been identified as Ashley A. McMickle, 25,  of Brazil, Ind.

"Investigators were able to match multiple tattoos and jewelry to known photographs of McMickle," Keen said, adding that the victim's family has been notified.

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While attempting to extinguish a  fire early yesterday morning, officials say a member of the Terre Haute Fire Department discovered a human body beneath burning wood in a fire pit at a north side neighborhood.

The Terre Haute Police Department investigation into the dead woman found during the suspicious residential fire at 2353 N. 24th St. has led to one man --- Larry Paul Prouse III, 32, of Terre Haute --being taken into police custody and charged with  murder and arson. He was apprehended at about 2 a.m. today by THPD officers, while sleeping in his vehicle in the 2200 block of  Seabury Avenue. 

Positive identification  of the victim is pending at this time, with an autopsy scheduled for today. 

"While appearing to be female, the body was unrecognizable," Chief of Police Shawn Keen said, noting the victim had been stabbed several times.  "Investigators were told that the  use of methamphetamine had occurred, and that Prouse had stabbed the unknown female  repeatedly without explanation.  Within minutes of the observed attack, the fires were  reported," Keen said.

Investigation revealed that Prouse is a family member of the actual residents of the home and reportedly arrived to visit in the early morning hours Sunday with unknown female and male.

Officers reportedly learned that both the residence and a burn  pit to the east of the residence had been burning when fire crews arrived at about 7 a.m.  The residents of the home arrived at the scene shortly after police and were later interviewed by detectives as evidence technicians processed the scene throughout  the day, Keen explained.
 
Prouse has a criminal history with a record reflecting several drug-related arrests.

The case is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Terre Haute Police Department at (812) 238-1661.    

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See updated story

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