Death ruled a suicide; homeowner’s cat found alive days after
FOLSOM — Authorities have identified the man who was found dead inside a Folsom home destroyed by fire during a police standoff on Sept. 8. The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the deceased was 56-year-old Folsom resident Eren Keith Powers. His death has been classified as a suicide.
Powers was discovered the morning after the fire when investigators were able to safely enter the gutted home. His body was located inside the structure, the center of a massive law enforcement and firefighting response the previous evening.
The incident began when neighbors called 911 shortly after 4:30 p.m. to report a potentially suicidal, armed man barricaded inside the home. The quiet suburban street in the American River Canyon neighborhood quickly turned chaotic as Folsom police patrol cars and SWAT units swarmed the block. Officers worked with a crisis counselor in repeated attempts to contact the man while urging nearby residents to evacuate.
Not long after, smoke and flames erupted from the home. Fire crews from Folsom and Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, supported by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, arrived to find the house burning but were forced to take a defensive stance because of the reported threat inside. More than 50 firefighters battled the flames from ladder trucks and the street, focusing on containing the fire and protecting neighboring properties.
By early evening, the home’s roof had collapsed, but surrounding residences were spared. Evacuations had kept nearby families out of harm’s way, and firefighters also managed to rescue several dogs from a neighboring property.
During the response, police detained an unrelated man who walked up to the scene in clothing resembling emergency gear. “While on scene, an unrelated individual was detained,” said Folsom Police spokesperson Deidre McAulliff. “He approached the house wearing clothing that resembled emergency personnel. This person’s presence was not connected to the original incident and may involve mental health concerns.”
In one small bright spot amid the tragedy, firefighters later found the family cat hiding in a backyard shed. The pet was reunited with the homeowner, who arrived to see her residence gutted by fire and quietly left the scene with her animal.
Once investigators determined the structure was stable the following morning, crews conducted a search and discovered Powers’ body inside. No other injuries were reported.
“This was a complex and tragic situation, and we appreciate the patience and cooperation of the community as we worked to ensure everyone’s safety,” McAulliff said. She also thanked partnering agencies for their collaboration, noting the use of overhead air support and specialized vehicles from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, along with fire resources provided by outside agencies.
Authorities are not releasing details on what led up to the suicide out of respect for the victim’s friends and family at this time.
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