Father, Decatur Locksmith Found Dead In Burning Work Van: Report

DECATUR, GA — A mobile locksmith was found dead Sunday in DeKalb County in his burning work van, reported WSB-TV.

Peter McGrath, 36, was identified as the victim by the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office, reported WSB-TV. The cause of death has been ruled a homicide. He leaves behind a wife, Amber, and four children. A GoFundMe campaign was launched by Amber, who says he left home Sunday for work and never returned.

“Two days ago my husband, who is a mobile emergency locksmith went to do a job in Decatur and never came home,” Amber wrote on Tuesday. “This senseless tragedy is almost too much to bear.

“Peter was a great man. Trying to carve out his little slice of the American Dream. Our dreams were cut short. He was a loving father. Small business owner. Loved by many. This loss is too much. Please help our family. He was the sole provider for our family of six & his mobile locksmith van was destroyed.”

According to DeKalb police McGrath was found around 12:30 p.m. Sunday on Mecklinburg Place in Decatur near Towers High School, reported WSB.

His wife told the news station that her husband, who owns his own locksmith company, had accepted a job in Decatur the night before.

“I do believe in my heart that he was targeted, he was set up,” McGrath told WSB-TV. “The people that did this knew what they were doing when they called my husband.”