Evansville Police: IN Man Gerard Elliott Matts Dead Before Apartment Blaze, Listed As Multi-State Sex Offerer

EVANSVILLE, IN. (THECOUNT) — Evansville man, Gerard Elliott Matts, recently named as the victim of a Read Street apartment building fire, is listed as a registered sex offender in several states, including Indiana.

Police and fire crews discovered a body following a blaze that occurred in the 400 block of Read Street in Evansville, IN. The body was later identified as 41-year-old Matts.

Police say Matts’ body was found severely burned in the fire. Autopsy findings determined Matts was dead before the fire started.

Evansville police later said they were handling Matts’ death as a homicide.

Matts was listed as a registered sex offender in several states, Tennessee and Indiana, THECOUNT has learned:

Offense/Statute:Criminal Sexual Conduct-fourth Degree – Nashville.

Police say Criminal Sexual Conduct – Fourth Degree (incest) – Indiana.

While investigators believe his death was a homicide, the cause of death is not being released at this time. source

Anyone with information on the fatal incident is urged to contact police at 911.