Police ID man found in burning Price home


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PRICE — The man found in the basement of a burning home in Price has been identified.

Police identified the victim as Brian William Swink, 32. Swink was discovered Tuesday afternoon after smoke was reported at 423 S. 200 West.

Witnesses said police approached the house with guns drawn and cleared it before firefighters started working to put the fire out. Swink was discovered in the basement of the house by firefighters who were checking for hot spots, police said.

Price Police Capt. Bill Barnes declined to say Wednesday whether Swink's body was burned of if there were any other obvious signs of trauma. He also did not reveal where in the house the fire was believed to have started or where it was in relation to the body.

Police confirmed that the house that caught fire is known as a place where drug activity frequently takes place and officers have had numerous dealings with the people who live there. Police said although Swink was discovered at the home, his last listed address was in Helper.

Three people considered to be "persons of interest" by detectives, who were known to be associated with the house, were all found nearby and taken into custody. One man was being held in the Carbon County Jail on a 72-hour hold for Adult Probation and Parole. A woman was also being held on an identical hold as well as having outstanding warrants. A second man was being held in connection with the incident, but Barnes declined to say what he was being investigated for.

Recent booking photo of Brian William Swink, 32, whose body was found Tuesday, July 29, 2014, in the basement of a burning home in Price.
Recent booking photo of Brian William Swink, 32, whose body was found Tuesday, July 29, 2014, in the basement of a burning home in Price. (Photo: Courtesy Price Police Department)

One of the men in custody has an extensive criminal history, including 41 arrests and 30 convictions, and he has been involved in "a lot of violence," according to police.

Police later executed search warrants at the house where the fire started and another house across the street at 432 S. 200 West.

Court records show Swink himself had served prison time. He was convicted of aggravated robbery in 2000 and sentenced to five years to life in the Utah State Prison. He was convicted of an amended charge of attempted burglary in 2009. Swink was also charged just last week in Helper Justice Court with criminal mischief and threat of violence and was in the Carbon County Jail as recently as last week in connection with the case.

Swink was first sent to prison in 1999. He spent several stints in and out of prison, according to Utah Department of Corrections officials. He was last discharged on Oct. 1, 2013.

The investigation is ongoing and more information will be posted as it becomes available.

Contributing: Geoff Liesik


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