
Investigators say that safe was open, but not forced open, making robbery the likely motive. There was a safe full of firearms and jewelry in his home. “Had they found him, that would be better than the image that is forever burned in my brain,” said Hiner.

His frustration and anger that he, and not first responders, found his son’s body, is never far from the surface. “Standing there looking down in the window of the bedroom we had converted into a closet, suddenly saw his burned out skull and realized he was gone,” said the elder Hiner. James Hiner made the gruesome discovery in the ashes. Matthew Hiner was incapacitated and couldn’t escape. In November of 2015, there was a fire at his son Matthew’s home just north of Port St.

That’s James Hiner, who says holidays are a painful reminder that his son is no longer here. Anyone who says it will get better, they have no idea.” For many, the holidays are a time for family, but for some, it’s a difficult time when a loved one is not at the dinner table.Ī Treasure Coast father has been suffering through six holiday seasons waiting for an arrest in his son’s murder.
