Drug Debt Led To Attack, Deputies Say
LAKELAND — Charges against a Lakeland man are expected to be upgraded to first-degree murder after a man he is accused of setting on fire died Saturday, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.
Thomas Nance, 36, of 2624 Sunshine Drive, Lakeland, was arrested Wednesday after an argument over a drug debt led to an arson attack on Michael Pearce, 30, also of Lakeland, a sheriff’s office media release states.
At the time, Nance was charged with attempted first-degree murder and first-degree arson, both felonies, according to jail records. Sheriff spokeswoman Carrie Rodgers said Saturday that Nance will be charged with first-degree murder.
Pearce was pronounced dead at 1:42 a.m. Saturday at Tampa General Hospital, according to the release.
The release said deputies responded to a house fire at 2624 Sunshine Drive about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. There were reports of injuries.
Deputies found Pearce outside the residence with severe burns to his upper body. He was flown to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition. Another victim, Morgan Brittney Turner, 19, formerly of 3033 Woodstock Ave., Lakeland, was treated at Lakeland Regional Medical Center for minor injuries and smoke inhalation and released.
Investigators learned that Nance, who owns the home, had argued with Pearce, who lived in an apartment at the house, over a drug debt. Nance said that on Tuesday, he had finally ordered Pearce to leave.
When Pearce did not leave, Nance confronted him.
Nance told deputies he ignited a glass of gasoline that he had left on the coffee table near a couch where Pearce was sleeping. Turner was sleeping on a separate couch nearby.
Nance woke Pearce and again told him to leave. After Pearce again refused, Nance kicked over the glass of gasoline. Pearce was engulfed in flames. Nance fled but was later found by deputies.
Nance was being held in the Polk County Jail with no bail set, jail records show.
