Detroit firefighter dead in home on west side, house ransacked

DETROIT (WJBK) - The Detroit Police Department is investigating the death of a Detroit firefighter who was found dead in his home on the city's west side.

The firefighter was found dead in his home Tuesday morning in the 15000 block of Penrod on the city's west side. During a press conference Tuesday morning, Police Chief James Craig said that the police department was investigating it as a homicide.

Craig said the man's home was 'ransacked' and that they have very little information on the circumstances of the firefighter's death.

Family has identified the victim as Jack Wiley, Jr. 

Wiley's cousin, Chris Lyons, said he can't believe what happened.

"Baby Jack that's my little cousin. Best man in the world. wouldn't hurt nobody," Lyons said. "He was always helping, into the church, his father was a fire fighter best guy in the world."

Wiley worked at squad 1 for the DFD and his fellow firefighters were concerned when he didn't show up for work Tuesday morning. When they checked his home, his car was gone and they contacted family.

His sister went to his home and found him dead inside the house.

"It's really bad when his sister had to be the one to go in to find him and she's pregnant so we're trying to keep her calm," Verdine Day, treasurer for DFD union said.

Police at the scene say the man's SUV was stolen but was recovered burned up later in the day.

"Was just shy of his 4th year of service with the DFD. 29 years old, great fire fighter, community servant, he loved his job and we're going to miss him," DFD fire commissioner Eric Jones said.

A large number of people came to the crime scene to offer support for the family that includes the victim's father who fire officials have identified as a retired senior chief.

"It's bold. Don't make no sense. People can't have nothing around here. That man ain't hurt nobody," Lyons said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.