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GREENSBORO - A local musician whose charred body was pulled out of an apartment fire on Sept. 13 was beaten to death before the blaze was set, according to an autopsy report released Thursday.

William Ransom Hobbs Jr., 58, died from a "crush injury" to the neck well before a fire destroyed the apartment of a friend, Deborah Moy, at 513 Summit Ave.

Moy, 36, was severely burned in the fire and remains in the hospital recovering from her injuries, police have said.

The report cites a lack of soot and carbon monoxide in Hobbs' airway as part of their conclusion that he died before the fire was set about 9 a.m.

The report says Hobbs was intoxicated at the time of his death.

Police said they have no suspects.

"It's difficult for all of us," said Peg, a family friend who requested that her last name not be published.

"He was a wonderful person. We're sad that someone so loving and caring died in such a violent way.

"We hope soon there will be an arrest," she said.

Hobbs, of South Elam Avenue, was a self-employed musician who specialized in blues and Americana music.

Friends called him "Hobo" and referred to him as "a grass-roots Buddha."

He got his start playing music along Tate Street in the 1970s. He went on to play at venues around the world.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com