Cary police identify remains found in backyard fire pit as Raleigh woman

Police on Tuesday identified the woman whose body was found burning in a backyard fire pit in Cary.

The woman was 34-year-old Cecily Anne Walker, also known as Cecily Anne Walker-Scott, of Raleigh. Her death has been ruled a homicide by Cary police.

Police also released the name of the critically injured homeowner found inside one of the RVs at the property. Ian DeLauder, 35, of Cary was taken to a hospital with a life-threatening injury from a single gunshot, according to a news release. His condition remained critical, as of Tuesday afternoon, police said.

No charges have been announced in the case.

911 caller reports trash fire

A neighbor called 911 at 7:04 a.m. Sunday to report a trash fire at 618 Dorset Drive, according to a copy of the call released by the Cary Police Department. The caller’s voice was altered on the recording to protect their privacy.

The caller reported a fire in a nearby backyard and said they could see smoke rising up from a heap of flames.

“It’s a huge plume of smoke; it’s like a ball,” the caller said.

The operator asked for more details about the fire, but the caller said the fire was behind a 5-foot fence. The caller did not respond when asked what the fire smelled like.

The 911 operator also asked if there was any electrical hazard and if anybody was injured.

“I have no idea,” the caller said.

Cary Police spokesman Sgt. Kenric Alexander said firefighters found human remains in the fire debris as they were putting out the blaze.

When police arrived, they found the house was under extensive renovations and that the residents had been staying in two RVs on the lot.

Police said a woman on the property at the time was unharmed. Police said they would not release her name.

In addition to the 911 call, the Police Department on Tuesday released the history of police visits to the Dorset Drive address.

Since 2018, police have responded to the address 21 times, including for multiple welfare checks, an incident of “strong armed robbery,” drugs, a vehicle fire and to serve a warrant.

Arrested on drug charges

In the past six months, court documents show that DeLauder has been arrested twice on felony cocaine possession and multiple related charges.

In September, DeLauder was charged with felony larceny, possession of stolen goods and felony cocaine possession.

In February, he was charged with maintaining a vehicle or dwelling place for the use or sale of a controlled substance, felony cocaine possession and possession with intent to distribute.

Court documents also show that DeLauder was granted a divorce in 2014. When a reporter from The News & Observer spoke to his ex-wife, she said she was unaware of DeLauder’s arrests or his alleged dealings with cocaine. She has not spoken to him since 2013, she said.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Please return for a fuller report.