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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">July 14, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Brian McNeill
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.825.4022
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Update: Victim dies of injuries sustained in June 15 arson fire on Paris Road</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Police have confirmed that Donovan Baylis, 31, of Columbia, the victim of an arson fire on Paris Road, died July 14 of injuries sustained in the fire. Next of kin have been notified. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At about 11:45 p.m. June 15, Columbia Police were dispatched to an assist-fire call in the 1500 block of Paris Road. An investigation revealed that an unknown suspect set Baylis and the porch of a residence on fire. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The suspect was described as a skinny, 35-40-year-old white male approximately 6 feet tall with brown hair and a mustache. He was wearing a white T-shirt and a hat, and was last seen traveling on a bicycle toward College Avenue. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652. To provide information without leaving your name or number, call CrimeStoppers at 573.875.8477 or visit </span><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="http://www.p3tips.com/899?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExNTRjcXBNMjA2VVdSazBjZQEeWtTwMybJza38Tl4wSYajyJQTI_Zf713ElqkK6tBAocUUMi1BesJdZydP6eY_aem_xugvqyBs0iQiygoQc-5ZxA"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://www.p3tips.com/899</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. If you provide information to CrimeStoppers that leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Case Number 2025-005473</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Previous release:</span></p>
<p><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=9284"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Police respond to assault on Paris Road</span></a></p></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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