Oct. 30, 2005 – An altercation between David Geiger and his son, Nathan, preceded a Saturday incident that left David Geiger dead and his son critically injured, Police Sgt. Thomas Hannah said Sunday.
"There was a dispute over money between the father and son," he said.
He said the dispute happened late Friday or early Saturday.
David Geiger was found at 4:30 a.m. Saturday with his body burned beyond recognition following an alleged arson at his Grunwald home. Hannah said Saturday that Geiger was discovered with his arms raised in a defensive position, leading police to believe that Geiger had been attacked before the arson.
Hannah said Nathan Geiger is in critical condition. He said plans were underway Saturday to airlift him to a Puerto Rico hospital, but he was unable to get confirmation Sunday that it had actually happened.
"He is fighting for his life," he said.
Hannah said that no one besides David Geiger and his son were in the home when the fire was discovered.
He said the police hope to talk to Nathan Geiger to find out what happened.
Hannah said the police have not identified any suspects.
The doors and windows were locked from the inside, Hannah said, which forced the neighbor who pulled Nathan Geiger out of the home to break in.
David Geiger, who worked as a housepainter, was in his late 40s or early 50s. Nathan Geiger, an 8th grader at the St. John School on Gifft Hill, is 14 or 15, Hannah said.
The incident continues to be the top topic of conversation on St. John.
"As horrible as it is, if it's an internal family matter, it's less shocking than thinking someone is out there on the loose on St. John," said one St. John resident said who did not want to be named.
Hannah stressed "again, again, and again" that this incident is not in any way related to recent racial tensions surrounding the alleged rape of Esther Frett.

Back Talk

Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name, and the city and state/country or island where you reside.