Beanie Sigel’s stepfather was found dead Tuesday morning in a quiet neighbourhood in Mount Airy, South Philadelphia.
Police identified the man as Samuel Derry, stepfather of rapper Beanie Sigel Derry died from two gun shots to the stomach, before his body was set on fire.
Local residents have expressed their shock at the violent and distressing incident. Neighbours claim to have heard no screams or gunshots and described the community as generally quiet.
“I heard something go ‘whoosh,’ and I saw the fire,” said Denise Calhoun 47, who lives nearby and had just returned home after buying cigarettes. “I had seen two men pull something out of their van, and I thought it was trash,” she said. “Then I saw the body on fire. He must have been dead already, because he didn’t react.”
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Police Inspector William Colarulo declined to confirm the report, but said that homicide detectives were looking into a report that people in a van or SUV were seen in the area where the body was later found. The body was set on fire in an alley in the Cedarbrook section of the neighbourhood, near the Franklin S. Edmunds grade school.
At time of press, it is still unclear as to whether Derry’s death was retaliation in connection to Sigel or his murder case. The case ended last week in Sigel’s acquittal on attempted murder charges relating back to a shooting in 2003.
Derry had married Sigel’s mother, =Michelle Brown-Derry+, in June 2004. Sigel’s attorney, Fortunato N. Perri Jr., gave a brief statement saying: “The family is very saddened by the loss.”
According to court records, Derry had a criminal record dating back to 1978. He was convicted of robbery and conspiracy and sentenced to 8 to 18 years in prison. In 1991, he was convicted of five counts of robbery and sentenced to 9 to 16 years in prison.
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Police have no motive or suspects as yet, and are appealing for anyone with information to call homicide detectives on: (215) 686 3334, extension 3335 or 3336.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer
