South Bend man charged with murder and arson

Tribune Staff Report

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Julius Gerard Anderson

Police are looking for Julius Gerard Anderson, 25, the boyfriend of Dawn Brooks, who was found dead in her burning home north of Rum Village Park Tuesday, April 21, 2009. (Photo provided)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Apr 23, 2009 at 5:14 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 23, 2009 at 5:14 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — A 25-year-old South Bend man has been charged with murder and arson in the death this week of a woman whose body was found in a burning house.

Julius G. Anderson, 25, faces one count of murder and two counts of arson, and he remains at large, the St. Joseph County prosecutor’s office said Thursday.

The body of 29-year-old Dawn Brooks was found Tuesday inside her South Kendall Street by firefighters responding to a call of a fire at the home.

An autopsy revealed she was hit repeatedly and stabbed, but died of smoke inhalation.

A warrant has been issued for Anderson’s arrest.

According to an investigation, Brooks was Anderson’s girlfriend, and the two had been involved in an argument the evening before her death.

Witnesses told police Anderson accompanied Brooks to her home the evening before she was killed, and that a couple of hours later Anderson was seen with blood splatter and stains on his person.

The fire to Brooks’ home was found to have originated in a back bedroom of the house, according to the charges filed in St. Joseph Superior Court, and though no liquid accelerant was used, accidental causes have been ruled out.

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