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Murder warrant issued, bond set after 'badly burned' body of Beaumont minister was found after house fire

Investigators are looking for Channin Keon Ardoin, 39, of Beaumont. Justice of the Peace Ben Collins pre-set a bond for Ardoin at $1 million.

BEAUMONT, Texas — Officials have issued a murder warrant and bond for a suspect after the body of a Beaumont minister was found in a home after a fire.

Beaumont Police are looking for Channin Keon Ardoin, 39, of Beaumont. Police obtained a murder warrant for Ardoin in connection with the death of Jason West, 41.

West's body was found in a house in the 4500 block of Dallas Avenue after a fire on Friday, October 7, 2022, according to a Beaumont Police Department release. Officials said his body was "badly burned." 

Related: Southeast Texas congregation mourns loss of minister found dead in Beaumont house fire

West's death was later determined to be a homicide. The official cause of his death is unknown.  

Justice of the Peace Ben Collins set a bond for Ardoin at $1 million.

Police believe Ardoin stole West's 2012 Hyundai Sonata and drove it from Beaumont to Huntington, where he was spotted by a Hunting Police officer, according to the release. 

Huntington is on U.S. Highway 69 about 97 miles north of Beaumont.

After being seen, Ardoin is said to have fled from the officer until he wrecked the car in the parking lot of a Metal Mart on U.S. Highway 69 in Lufkin. He then fled on foot, according to the release. 

Police have yet to find him. Ardoin was already wanted for felony theft. 

This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.

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From Beaumont Police Department release: 

Beaumont Police Detectives have obtained a Murder Warrant for Channin Keon Ardoin, a 39 year old Beaumont man, in connection with the homicide of Jason West on Friday, October 7, 2022. 

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Jason West, a 41 year old Beaumont man, has been positively identified as the man found deceased during the Arson Investigation Friday, October 7, 2022 in the 4500 block of Dallas Ave. West’s death has been ruled a Homicide.  Investigators are still looking for Channin Keon Ardoin.  Ardoin is a person of interest and has a Felony Theft Warrant.

____________________________________________________________

Beaumont Police Investigators are looking for a person of interest.  Detectives need to speak with Channin Keon Ardoin, a 39 year old Beaumont man. Investigators believe Ardoin has information about a structure fire that occurred Friday, October 7, 2022.   

On Friday, October 7, 2022 at 9:32 A.M. Officers responded to the 4500 block of Dallas Ave to assist Beaumont Fire Rescue with a structure fire. Fire Attack Teams entered the structure and extinguished the fire. A fire investigator discovered a deceased person inside the residence.  Beaumont Fire Investigators and Beaumont Police Investigators are working together to investigate the suspected Arson and deceased person investigation.  The victim’s identity and cause of death are pending autopsy.   

The victim's blue 2012 Hyundai Sonata (TXLP NFW3452) was not located at the scene.   

Beaumont Investigators believe Ardoin drove the victim’s blue Hyundai Sonata northbound on Highway 69 from Beaumont to Huntington where he was spotted by a Huntington police officer. He then fled from the officer until he wrecked the car on the parking lot of Metal Mart on Highway 69, about 1 mile from the Lufkin city limits. He then fled on foot and remains at-large. 

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