Monday, March 1, 2010

Prescott Valley, AZ: Fire now murder-suicide probe

By Lisa Irish
The Daily Courier


The investigation into the bodies found Wednesday in the rubble of a Prescott Valley house fire has turned into a murder-suicide probe, a police spokesman said.

Initial reports from the Yavapai County Medical Examiner indicate the woman suffered a gunshot wound to her head and her death appears to be a homicide, said Sgt. Brandon Bonney, spokesman for the Prescott Police Department.

The medical examiner determined the man committed suicide with a self-inflicted gunshot to his head, Bonney said.

The medical examiner continues to work to confirm the victims' identities, Bonney said.

Prescott Valley police remind the public they are not seeking any outstanding suspects, Bonney said.

Investigators said the fire that destroyed the home in the 4200 block of Kearny Drive was a case of arson.

Prescott Valley police's criminal investigation section leads the investigation into the fire with help from the Yavapai County Attorney's Office as well as Central Yavapai Fire District and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arson squads.

Central Yavapai firefighters responded to a neighbor's call about the fire at 6:19 a.m., quickly extinguished it and found the bodies inside the home in separate bedrooms, said Charlie Cook, spokesman for Central Yavapai Fire District.

The fire appeared suspicious, and investigators determined that someone used an accelerant to start it, Bonney said.

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