UPDATE: Police Arrest Caregiver in Murder of Bedridden Mehlville Man

A caregiver is facing first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of a disabled Mehlville man found in his burning duplex Wednesday morning.

St. Louis County prosecutors also have charged 38-year-old Tyrone C. Benedict, of Maryland Heights, with first-degree arson in the case. He currently is being held without bond.

Yesterday, Mehlville firefighters found 40-year-old Mark J. Woods, a quadriplegic, dead in his home at 140 Kinswood Lane after being called to the scene about a fire. Police and fire officials said Woods appeared to be deceased for some time before the fire.

According to a probable cause statement released by the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office, Woods had been stabbed, but the cause of death was smoke inhalation.

In the statement, John Bradley, a detective with the St. Louis County Police Department, said that Benedict at first had lied to police about his whereabouts Wednesday. Bradley said Benedict eventually told police that the fire was in progress when he had arrived at Wood’s home.

Benedict, who had burns on his back, buttocks and hands, told detectives he had tried to save Woods, but failed.  He also told police that Woods, who was bedridden, was trying to sexually abuse him.