Deputies arrested 23-year-old George Beemer after emergency crews found a severely burned woman inside a south Fort Myers home.
FORT MYERS, FL — A 23-year-old man is accused of shooting his mother and setting her body on fire inside their south Fort Myers home before calling emergency workers to report that he was having chest pain, according to authorities and court records.
George Beemer faces charges of second-degree murder, first-degree arson and abuse of a dead human body. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation began July 25 after emergency medical workers responded to a residence on Ranchette Road. Firefighters were called back to the property about 30 minutes later and found a woman dead inside the home.
Authorities have not publicly identified the woman. Investigators said her body was severely burned, preventing officials from immediately confirming her identity. Sheriff’s officials described her as Beemer’s mother in statements about the arrest. The formal identification and cause of death remained matters for the medical examiner.
According to a probable cause affidavit cited by news organizations, Beemer called 911 shortly after 10 a.m. and complained of chest pain. Paramedics arrived and placed him in an ambulance. Emergency crews later received another call reporting a fire at the same address.
Firefighters entered the residence and discovered the woman in the kitchen, the affidavit said. Investigators reported finding a firearm nearby. Details about forensic testing of the weapon, the fire scene and other evidence have not been released.
The second 911 caller was described in the affidavit as a friend of Beemer. The friend told investigators that Beemer had asked him to come to the house that morning and had admitted killing his mother. The friend said he waited until Beemer had left in the ambulance before contacting authorities because he feared retaliation, according to the affidavit.
Investigators said Beemer later admitted shooting the woman once and pouring gasoline around her before starting the fire. The affidavit said he told detectives that his mother had previously said she wanted to be cremated. Those statements are allegations contained in an arrest record and have not been tested in court.
Beemer also accused his mother of mistreating and sexually abusing him, according to the affidavit. Authorities have not announced evidence supporting those allegations, and people described as family friends disputed them in interviews with local news organizations. Investigators have not identified a confirmed motive beyond the statements attributed to Beemer.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno called the case an extremely disturbing act of violence and praised deputies, firefighters, emergency medical workers and major-crimes detectives for their coordinated response. He said investigators would continue working to provide answers to the victim’s family.
Beemer remained in custody at the Lee County Jail following his arrest. Publicly available reports did not establish whether he had entered a plea or retained an attorney. The charges are accusations, and Beemer is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Author note: Last updated July 29, 2026.