COLUMBIA, Mo. — A Missouri man has been charged with second-degree murder and first-degree arson following a deadly fire that claimed the life of a Columbia resident in June.
Authorities say Brandon Butchkoski, 47, is accused of setting multiple fires at a home on the 1500 block of Paris Road, culminating in a violent blaze that fatally injured 31-year-old Donovan Baylis.
According to police reports, the incident occurred just before midnight on June 15, when Baylis stepped outside to extinguish a fire burning on the porch. As he attempted to put it out, flames suddenly engulfed his body, leaving him with burns over 80% of his skin.
“[Baylis] went outside to put the fire out, and when he stomped on the fire, he was engulfed in flames,” the probable cause statement said.
Witnesses described chaotic moments as another resident grabbed a garden hose to douse the flames while Baylis collapsed onto the concrete. Investigators later found a gas can on the porch railing and a backpack filled with gasoline-soaked latex gloves, believed to be used as accelerants.
Residents told officers this was the third fire reported at the same address in recent months, and they suspected Butchkoski was involved each time.
Two weeks later, on June 29, police say Butchkoski returned to the property and threw another burning backpack onto the roof, sparking yet another blaze. Surveillance video captured him carrying and tossing the bag, which investigators later recovered containing cleaning bottles and containers filled with gasoline.
Butchkoski was arrested on July 3 and initially charged with arson. After Baylis succumbed to his injuries on July 14, prosecutors elevated the charges to second-degree murder.
Court records reviewed by the Columbia Missourian show that Butchkoski, who is homeless, has a lengthy criminal history that includes drug offenses and unlawful firearm possession.
He remains held at the Boone County Jail without bond, awaiting his first court appearance. Authorities have not yet disclosed a possible motive for the repeated attacks.
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