Delaware State Police
News Release

Released- Saturday, May 24, 2008

Frederica- On today's date, at approximately 11:47 a.m., Troopers were called to 74 Sycamore Road, in the High Point Mobile Home Park, in Frederica, in reference to a sexual assault investigation.

While officers were en-route, the Kent County Emergency Dispatch Center received additional calls advising the trailer at the aforementioned address was ablaze and a male subject was still inside. Troopers and emergency personnel arrived on the scene and fire fighters were able to remove Derek Hawkins, 36, of this address, from inside the home. He was transported from the scene to Kent General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Detectives from the State Police were later able to contact the alleged 16-year-old female victim from the sexual assault. She alleged Hawkins assaulted her within the past several weeks. This young lady told her mother about the assault today. Her mother in turn immediately called the police and then contacted Hawkins and told him that the police were on their way. Shortly after advising him (Hawkins) of the impending response by Troopers the mobile home caught fire.

This case is still under investigation. Again, Troopers are handling the sexual assault investigation. The Delaware State Fire Marshals Office is handling the fire investigation. The following information was provided by their office...

"The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating this afternoon’s house trailer fire near Frederica, Delaware. One person was found deceased inside the burning structure.

The blaze, reported shortly after 12:00 p.m., occurred in the unit block of Sycamore Drive, High Point Mobile Home Park, near State Route 113. The Bowers Fire Company arrived on the scene with flames pouring from the dwelling. Firefighters entered the trailer and removed one subject. The subject was rushed to Kent General Hospital and later pronounced dead.

State fire investigators are currently conducting the investigation into the origin and cause of the fire. Fire damage was estimated at $30,000. There were no other reported injuries.

Investigators were able to locate two operating smoke alarms inside the home.

The Delaware State Police and Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office are working together on this joint investigation. There had been a call for police service at the location prior to the discovery of the fire.

The cause of this fire remains under investigation."