The Boulder County Coroner’s Office on Thursday afternoon identified a man found dead following a structure fire on Monday at a makeshift living space alongside an electrical services business in Longmont.
The coroner’s office said in a news release that it has conducted an autopsy on Richard Benz, 56, but is continuing to investigate his cause and manner of death.
Longmont police Cmdr. Joel Post said in an email that Benz had been living in a 10 foot by 10 foot structure outside of AAA Electric. The shed-like structure was made from various pieces of wood and wood pallets.
“Investigators learned there were electrical extension cords extending from the main building at this address into the area Benz was temporarily residing,” Post said. “There were electrical space heaters inside the shed where the fire occurred and where Benz had been residing.”
Colorado Bureau of Investigations records indicate Benz was a registered sex offender who had listed AAA Electric, 24 S. Main St., as his residence.
Post said Benz worked at AAA Electric.
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