THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, February 4, 1997             TAG: 9702040281
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL  
TYPE: METRO BRIEFS 
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   27 lines

DEATH RULED A HOMICIDE

The death of a man whose body was found in a motel Saturday has been ruled a homicide after results of an autopsy showed that he died of a blow or blows to his head, police said.

The body of William Kelly Martin, 32, was found by a maid in a smoke-filled, fire-damaged motel room at the Motel 6 in the 700 block of Woodlake Drive.

Police said the maid had gone to clean the room about 11:30 a.m. When she opened the door, she found heavy smoke and discovered the man's body. The cause of the fire was unclear Monday.

Martin had no known address, but he was said to have frequented the Campostella area.

Investigators are looking for Jason Lamont Woodard, 22, who was thought to be the last person to have seen Martin alive. Woodard also is believed to frequent the Campostella area and Ocean View.

Anyone with information about the two men, including anyone who saw Martin after 5 p.m. Friday, is asked to call 487-1234.

KEYWORDS: MURDER ARSON <