A man was found dead in a burning trailer, but police said he did not die in the fire.

Baytown police said Ronald Pearson's body was found after his home at the Shady Oaks Trailer Park in the 6200 block of North State Highway 146 caught fire Saturday.

Investigators said they originally thought Pearson, 49, died in the fire, but an autopsy revealed that he had been repeatedly stabbed in the neck before the fire.

"It's obvious to us that the fire was set to cover up the crime scene," Lt. Eric Freed said.

Detectives said the weapon used to stab Pearson was found at the scene.

Pearson's neighbors said they do not know who would want to kill Pearson.

"We are all a little freaked out about it," neighbor Linda Lesler said. "It's scary and shocking."

"It's difficult to absorb, said Linda Bryan, manager of Shady Oaks."It's scary to think how fast something like this could happen."

Anyone with information about Pearson's death is asked to call Baytown Crime Stoppers at 281-427-8477.