House fire investigation reveals double murder-suicide
An investigation into a Prescott Valley house fire reveals three people were killed in a double murder-suicide. FOX 10's Nicole Krasean has the latest updates.
Prescott Valley, Arizona – A fire broke out and three people were found dead. Prescott Valley.
Investigators believe a deadly fire at a Yavapai Road home Thursday morning was deliberately started and that two of the three people inside were shot to death.
The fire broke out on Thursday, September 12th. Navajo Drive and State Route 69.
Central Arizona Fire and Medical Services says One person was initially found dead, but two more victims were found after the fire was extinguished.
“It was just so weird to think that a woman was murdered 500 feet away while I was washing dishes,” said nearby resident Cosette Thompson.
House fire breaks out in Prescott Valley
Three people are dead after a house fire near Navajo Drive and State Highway 69 in Prescott Valley.
Thursday morning started out normally for Cole and Cosette Thompson, who were preoccupied with watching the crime scene unfold before doing any household chores.
“I heard a few shots, maybe gunshots or doors slamming. They were spaced apart so I didn't think much of it, then I looked up and saw a police officer running by the window and I thought, 'Oh no, this isn't right'. Then I looked out the back door and saw the house on fire so I called the cops,” Thompson said.
Police responded to a home on Yavapai Road after receiving multiple 911 calls.
“There was a lot of mixed information out there, the house was on fire, gunshots were being heard, a woman was screaming for help, so the officers that arrived on scene were unable to go inside the residence because the house was on fire, even though unfortunately at that moment gunshots were being heard,” said James Edelstein with the Prescott Valley Police Department.
After the fire was extinguished, emergency personnel entered the building and found two women dead from multiple gunshot wounds and a man deceased from an apparent single gunshot wound to the head.
Officers were upset that they couldn't get to the victim sooner.
“We all get into this job because we want to protect people, so when something gets in the way, it's incredibly frustrating. I can tell you that every officer that was here yesterday morning was definitely frustrated by the fact that they had to wait until the structure fire was out,” Edlestein said.
The Thompson family was saddened by the news of what happened so close to home.
“You could hear them out in the backyard enjoying their weekends so just knowing they're gone is just a really eerie feeling. It's sad,” Cole Thompson said.
Police say there are no outstanding suspects in the case and there is no threat to the public.
a GoFundMe page It was set up for two of the victims.
