Kelly Masciarelli, her son, Kolin Foster, and his girlfriend Cameryn Richard murdered before their Cypress, Texas house was set on fire as cops now seek a suspect(s).
Texas investigators believe three individuals found deceased inside a burning Cypress house over the weekend were all murdered before the home they resided in was set on fire by a mystery suspect.
Identified as the fatal victims were Kelly Masciarelli, her son, Kolin Foster, and his girlfriend Cameryn Richard. Officials declined to reveal the victims’ ages. Social media nevertheless stated Masciarelli was 54, Foster recently celebrating his 23rd birthday and that Richard was 21.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office stated all three victims lived at the residence, located in the 14600 block of Plains River Drive.
Autopsies to determine cause of death
Authorities now believe that the fire, found ablaze Sunday morning, may have been deliberate and started by an accelerant and that all three victims died before the flames broke out, Eyewitness News reported.
It remained unclear who else may have stayed at the home as investigators now seek to identify a possible suspect in what is now a ‘homicide’ and ‘arson’ investigation.
‘Unfortunately, we have seen this before where an individual will commit murder and then start a fire to cover their tracks,’ Sgt. Michael Ritchie with HCSO told reporters on Sunday.
‘We are willing to say that, these individuals looked like they were deceased before the fire was started,’
‘So this is definitely a homicide, not accidental deaths due to due to fire and smoke inhalation,’ he added.
The manner and cause of death remained unknown pending the results of autopsies.
One of the victims was found on the first floor, while the other two were located upstairs, Click2Houston reported.
Foul play and mystery suspect(s)
Investigators believe whoever started the fire fled through the back of the house.
The victims had signs of trauma to their bodies, indicating foul play before the fire.
A vintage red Corvette seen being towed from the scene, is now ‘an area of interest’ for detectives. It was found in the $350,000 four-bedroom home’s driveway, and did not appear burned.
Investigators said that Foster purchased the vehicle.
A neighbor also reported hearing a car door slam in the early morning but didn’t recognize the person driving the car.
Ritchie said they were reviewing video footage as part of the investigation.
HCSO is asking anyone with information about the case to contact its Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
