Two men charged in deadly Sedalia house fire

Prosecutors have filed charges against two men in connection with a deadly house fire in Sedalia on Thursday, June 23.

The fire happened on South Grand Avenue; after getting the fire under control, firefighters found the the victim, identified as Matthew Eldenburg, inside the home. Attempts to revive him failed, and he was pronounced dead at Bothwell Regional Hospital.

Court documents filed June 30 name Cody Harvey, 24, and Aran Cantrell, 22, as suspects in the fire. Witnesses saw Eldenburg with Cantrell shortly before the fire happened, while another witness claimed someone told him Cantrell was at Eldenburg’s home during the fire.

While interviewing Cantrell, detectives say he admitted to pouring gasoline on Eldenburg while the latter was unconscious on a couch. Cantrell then told the detectives an accomplice, Cody Harvey, tried to light Eldenburg on fire, but the flames wouldn’t take.

At that point, according to Cantrell, they moved Eldenburg into the kitchen, and after Cantrell poured gasoline throughout the home, Harvey lit a fire with natural gas from the stove turned on.

According to detectives, Harvey had been in an argument with Eldenburg. Court documents show one Facebook message between the two had Cody saying, “U better watch ur back is all I’m saying youngster.” The message had been sent the day of the fire.

After arresting Harvey, police say he claimed he was not involved in the fire. Harvey was unable, however, to explain his actions and whereabouts around the time of the fire. He did admit to being in an argument with Eldenburg, and that he had been looking for the victim the night before the fire.

Both Harvey and Cantrell have been charged with arson.