DETROIT, MI -- Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said the word "heinous" didn't begin to describe the killing of 91-year-old Paul Monchnik, a great-grandfather whose body was discovered inside his Detroit home following a fire.

Monchnik's funeral

Based on Worthy's charging statement, the public knew Monchnik, a retired TV repairman, had been beaten by a home invader and his house set ablaze about 2:30 a.m. Nov. 23.

The level of sadism increased with details revealed in a court Tuesday.

Assistant Wayne County Medical Examiner Dr. Kilak Kesha said the autopsy showed Monchnik had 1/5 a cup of a flammable liquid, possibly gasoline he was force-fed, in his stomach at the time of death, reported Orlander Brand-Williams of the Detroit News, who covered Tuesday's preliminary examination.



Full Detroit News story

medical examiner in beating/arson murder of 91 yr old Detroit man says gasoline-type liquid found in his stomach. — oralandar brand-wms (@oralandar_DN) January 5, 2016

It's believed 17-year-old neighbor George R. Steward killed Monchnik and started the fire to destroy the evidence.

Police released a surveillance image of the suspect purchasing gasoline just before the fire and Steward was arrested the following day.

Wayne County District Court Judge Kenneth King ruled there is enough probable cause for Steward to stand trial and bound the case over to Wayne County Circuit Court for arraignment Jan. 12.

Steward is charged with felony murder, first-degree premeditated murder and burning a dwelling.

He faces a possible sentence of mandatory life in prison.