CLINTON, Iowa – In an update to our earlier reports, officials with the State Medical Examiner’s Office have identified a person found following a fire in Clinton, as 41-year-old Dustin Christopher Doran, who is formerly of Newton. His manner of death on Monday, was ruled as a homicide. A few hours after posting the victim’s ID, a suspect in the case was arrested. 30-year-old Trevor Allan Jeorge Ward, of Norwalk, was charged with Murder In The First Degree and Arson In The First Degree.

State court records show he has 14 previous convictions on simple and aggravated misdemeanor charges. Clinton County records show Ward was arrested Saturday — the same day as the murder — and charged with public intoxication and assault causing bodily injury, with notation of mental illness on the jail’s record.

Trevor Ward – Arson/murder suspect

On Saturday, March 26, 2022, the Clinton Fire Department and the Clinton Police Department responded to a 911 call reference a structure fire inside of 78 31st Ave North.  Upon arrival, their attention was drawn to Apartment N and the Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire.  A deceased individual (Doran) was found inside the apartment and the Clinton Police Department, Clinton Fire Department, Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Clinton Medical Examiner, Clinton County Attorney’s Office, Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Attorney General’s Office and the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner launched a criminal investigation.

The investigation is ongoing and the Clinton Police Department does not believe there is any cause for concern by the public of being in any danger.