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Dunedin Standoff Ends; Homicide Investigation Begins

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By DAVE NICHOLSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 13, 2008

DUNEDIN A standoff ended this morning with a suspect's surrender and the discovery of a body inside his home.

Pinellas County homicide detectives are investigating and haven't released the identity of the body found in 55-year-old Neils Christian Larsen III's home at 1222 Orange Ave., Dunedin. Officers found the covered body after they fired chemicals into his home to force him out.

Officers went to the home to check on his welfare about 1:30 p.m. Friday. Larsen initially spoke to deputies but then retreated inside, officers said. Deputies continued to try to make contact with him, and when he failed to respond, the SWAT team was called around 4 p.m. Deputies persisted because the sheriff's office had received information that he might commit suicide, and he had gathered two propane tanks and three Freon tanks inside the home, officers said. Several homes in the neighborhood were evacuated.

After the SWAT team used chemicals, he walked out the front door and surrendered after midnight. While deputies were securing the home they said they found a covered body.

The Hillsborough Sheriff's Office and the Clearwater Police Department assisted in the standoff.

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