Woman arrested after Topeka man's death in October house fire

A woman was arrested Thursday in connection with crimes linked to the Oct. 6 death of a man in a fire at a house in central Topeka.

Terica M. Gardner, 31, of Topeka, was booked at 2:05 p.m. Thursday into the Shawnee County Jail, where she was being held without bond Friday in connection with first-degree murder in the commission of a felony, arson, aggravated arson and aggravated burglary, jail records said. No formal charges had been filed.

Gardner was arrested in connection with crimes linked to the death of David S. Blevens, 46, of Topeka, said Rosie Nichols, public safety communications specialist for Topeka's city government.

In a separate case, Gardner was also being held without bond Friday in connection with one misdemeanor count each of domestic battery and criminal damage to property, jail records said. Details about that case weren't available.

Victim's name wasn't made public until Nov. 12

Blevens was found after firefighters were called just before 6 p.m. Oct. 6 to a burning house at 1640 S.W. Buchanan.

Firefighters searched the building and found Blevens on the second floor,, Nichols said. He was subsequently pronounced deceased, she said.

The blaze was determined to have been intentionally set and Blevens' death continues to be investigated as a homicide, Nichols said.

Blevens' name wasn't made public until Nov. 12 because authorities had trouble locating his next of kin.

Nichols asked anyone with information regarding his death to email the Topeka Fire Department's fire investigations unit at [email protected] or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 785-234-0007.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at [email protected] or 785-213-5934.