Family members describe Jeremy “Boogie” Carnes as fearless, funny and sweet. They said he loved his two children and two dogs.
HOUSTON — Houston officials have identified the victim found hanging and partially burned beneath the 610 North Loop East freeway last week as 46-year-old Jeremy “Boogie” Carnes, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
Editor’s note: Video above is from previous reporting
Carnes’ body was discovered near Kirkpatrick Boulevard, close to a storage facility, after Union Pacific employees spotted what they believed was a brush fire and called 911 just after 10 p.m. on October 23.
When firefighters extinguished the flames, they made the grim discovery of Carnes’ body hanging from the underside of the freeway.
The manner and cause of death remain pending as the medical examiner’s office continues its investigation. Authorities have not yet determined whether Carnes died from hanging, the fire, or other circumstances.
Lt. Khan with HPD previously stated the death appears “highly unlikely, almost impossible” to be a suicide, citing the combination of the hanging and fire as suspicious circumstances.
Investigators are still working to determine where Carnes was initially set on fire and whether it happened at a nearby homeless encampment or directly beneath the overpass.
Anyone with information about Jeremy Carnes’ death is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS or the Houston Police Homicide Division.
‘Fearless, funny and sweet’
According to his obituary, Carnes was a father of two and his children were his whole world and all he ever talked about.
“He loved him “with [the] depths of his beautiful soul,” the obit said.
Carnes was also “adored” by his parents, big sister and extended family.
“He had many friends, but Cross and Smoke, his furbabies, [were] the most loyal and loved,” the obit said.
Carnes grew up in Liverpool and that’s where he earned the lifelong nickname of “Boogie,” because his father loved to sing “Boogie Oogie Oogie” to him.
“His end of life was unfair and tragic but those memories of being an amazing person will live on in us all,” the obit said.
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