UPDATE: Watertown police release name of man found dead following garage fire
December 10, 2021
Mike Tanner
WATERTOWN, S.D.–Authorities have released the name of a man who was found dead this week after Watertown firefighters extinguished a garage fire.
The victim is identified as 66 year-old Peter “Johnny” Tauer.
The fire at 1004 First Avenue Southeast was reported as a possible structure fire at 8:30 Wednesday morning.
Fire crews arrived to find a duplex home with no one inside, and smoke coming from the nearby garage.
Tauer’s body was discovered after the fire was extinguished.
Watertown Police Detective Sergeant Trevor Barthel says autopsy results are pending.
The initial investigation indicates the cause of the fire was accidental in nature.
An obituary listing with the Wight and Comes Funeral Home indicates graveside services for Tauer will be held in the spring.
