Westcourt residents in Olivia mourn loss of fire victim, identified on Friday afternoon

OLIVIA — One day after an apartment fire took the life of their long-time neighbor and fellow tenant, residents of the Westcourt Apartments in Olivia remained shaken by the fire and loss.

Billy Eugene Camper, 64, of Olivia, was identified Friday afternoon as the victim found deceased in his first floor apartment shortly after 7 a.m. Thursday.

The cause of his death is pending the receipt of final laboratory results from the Midwest Medical Examiner’s office in Anoka County, according to Olivia Police Chief Derek Lee.

The state fire marshal was at the scene on Friday to determine the cause of the fire, which was confined to the victim’s first-floor apartment. The investigation remains active, although authorities at the scene on Friday said there was no information that would lead them to believe the cause was suspicious.

Tenants described Camper as well liked and a long-time resident of the apartment complex. "It breaks your heart,'' said Heidi Schaefer, a resident who knew the victim.