WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and SportsUPDATE: Sawyer County id's suspected murderer, pipe bombs found near body

UPDATE: Sawyer County id's suspected murderer, pipe bombs found near body

Sawyer County (Press Release) - A forensic odontologist positively identified the burned body recovered on Highway A in Washburn County as that of Arthur "Todd" A. Garcia, 31.

Law enforcement believes Garcia is responsible for the homicide of David W. Palm of Birchwood on Oct. 31.

Preliminary reports indicate that Garcia had a previous relationship with the sister of David Palm. That relationship ended a couple of years ago. The couple had a child together. It is believed that Garcia had a vendetta against the Palm family due to the break-up of the relationship and also child custody issues.

Prior to his suicide, Garcia informed several acquaintances that he was responsible for the death of David Palm and the arson at the Palm residence.

Evidence indicates that Garcia committed suicide at a residence on Washburn County Highway A early Sunday morning Nov. 1, 2009. The investigation at the scene indicates that Garcia shot himself and simultaneously incinerated himself on a pile of burning tires.

The examination of the Garcia death scene was delayed for several hours on Sunday after law enforcement located three pipe bombs in a backpack near the body. The Marathon County Bomb Squad was called in to remove the pipe bombs.

During the examination of the Garcia scene, officials located two handguns in the debris. One of those guns is believed to be the weapon used to murder David Palm.

The Washburn County Sheriff's Department also released information. From the press release: After shooting David Palm, it is believed Garcia started the fire at 1332 County Road F, in Birchwood. Indications are that Garcia then proceeded to the City of Spooner where he was observed drinking in local bars. It is believed that Garcia wen to teh County Highway A address after leaving the City of Spooner, and ultimately started another fire and took his own life.

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Town of Edgewater, Sawyer County (WQOW) - The investigation into an apparent murder suicide shakes up a western Wisconsin community.

David Palm's body was found in a home in Sawyer County on Saturday night. That home had burned to the ground. Palm was from Birchwood. He was 43. Officers say his wounds and evidence found near his body lead them to believe he was murdered.

The next morning, another man's body was found in a fire near a mobile home in Washburn County. Investigators believe that man is the man who murdered Palm. 

His body has not been identified but Birchwood police tell News 18 officers believe it is Arthur Garcia. Two years ago police investigated Garcia for an alleged threat. Reports indicate that Garcia and Palm's sister have a child together and there was a custody battle between the two. 

One of Garcia's co-workers told police he talked about shooting up the Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood because that's where David Palm's family goes. At the time police searched Garcia's home in Rice Lake and found weapons, ammunition, marijuana and swat-gear. Charges against him failed to stick because there were questions about the search warrant involved in the case. 

Residents in Birchwood say they're in shock over what happened.

"Everybody thinks of somebody else before they think of themselves here. It's a big shock, I think. And having said those things, I think that does make it even harder for us here because everybody does feel like we're all connected," says Betsey Acrey, owner of the Birchwood Cafe.

Many Birchwood residents say this is a tight-knit community that will definitely feel the loss.

News 18 also spoke with David's parents and they say they the loss of their son coupled with the loss of their home is a devastating blow.

Birchwood residents say they feel for Palm's family.

"He was a great guy. He was very nice and he would never hurt anyone. He was just a likeable guy and very loving. He wasn't the type of person that would hurt anyone," says former neighbor and classmate Scott Linville.

Back to Garcia. Before his body was found on Sunday there was so much concern about what had happened, church services at Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood were cancelled.