SOLANO COUNTY, Calif. (KTXL) -- Officials in Solano County announced at a news conference Wednesday afternoon that last year's deadly Markley Fire was allegedly started as an attempt to cover up a suspected murder.
The Solano County sheriff and district attorney reported the two deaths linked to the August 2020 fire are being investigated as homicides. Douglas Mai, 82, and Leon “James” Bone, 64, were found in their homes in unincorporated Solano County.
Solano County officials named Victor Serriteno as the suspect in the investigation.
Serriteno was already in custody on suspicion of killing Priscilla Castro and burning her body. The 32-year-old woman from Vallejo was reported missing after Vacaville authorities say she went on a date with Serriteno just two days before the Markley Fire was sparked.
Her burned body was found Sept. 2 near Lake Berryessa.
The sheriff's office says it's now believed Serriteno deliberately started the Markley Fire "in an attempt to conceal his crime."
He was arrested for the two homicides Wednesday morning and now faces additional charges for murder and arson.
The Markley Fire was a smaller fire that merged with others into the LNU Lightning Complex that burned parts of Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Solano and Yolo counties.
Six people died and five others were injured. Nearly 1,500 structures were destroyed.
The LNU Complex was the fifth-largest wildfire in California history.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
from KRON4 https://ift.tt/3eHZOBM
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