Police identify man found dead after fire near Phoenix canal last month

Authorities on Tuesday released the identity of a body found after a fire was extinguished near an east Phoenix canal last month.

The investigation into the death of 71-year-old Calvin Burns is ongoing, the Phoenix Police Department said.

Officers responded to an unknown trouble call near 44th and Washington streets about 12:10 a.m. on June 26 and found a fire near the Grand Canal.

The Phoenix Fire Department was called in and extinguished the blaze. Burns’ body was found after the fire was out, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, which was just northwest of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the remains.

“It remains undetermined what the specific cause of death was, and whether the victim was alive or already deceased when he was lit on fire,” Sgt. John Buchanan said in a media advisory.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (837-8446) for Spanish. Callers can remain anonymous, and tips that lead to an arrest could be eligible for a cash reward.

This is an updated version of a story originally published June 26, 2026.

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