It had only been about a week since Steve’s death, but the state police felt they had enough information to arrest Kim for killing Steve and setting fire to room 506 to cover up his murder. In the charging document Elzey said on Sunday, February 15, 1998, at approximately 1:35 A.M., Trooper First Class Clay Hartness responded to Harbourtowne to investigate an unattended death in room 506. Also present at the scene were members of the St. Michaels Fire Department and other law enforcement personnel. Elzey said the preliminary investigation revealed that there had been a fire in room 506 and that concerned citizens had removed Steve’s burned body from the room and placed it outside on the rear deck before the fire department or law enforcement arrived at the resort. Stephen Hricko was pronounced dead at the scene by a forensic examiner. A subsequent search of the room turned up a package of cigars with one cigar missing from the pack. The missing cigar was not found during the search.
