A man, woman, and their baby have been found dead in a Florida home after a Christmas tree caught on fire on the evening of Tuesday, Dec 12, police said.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department were called before 8:30 p.m. to a home on 8900 block of India Avenue, south of the Arlington Expressway, reported CBS.
Layer of crime scene tape just came down. Can see investigators taking photos of house pic.twitter.com/5hE8qDwfdY
— Cole Heath (@ColeANjax) December 13, 2017
Crime scene investigators appear to have left home. I don’t see fire damage to front-exterior of the home. pic.twitter.com/FngQs56GWY
— Cole Heath (@ColeANjax) December 13, 2017
Firefighters found three bodies and a burned Christmas tree after forcing entry into the home.
Authorities suspect foul play in the deaths of the three people, but police could not say what evidence leads them to believe that, reported the news station.
“(There is an) adult male, adult female and toddler dead. We suspect foul play but the investigation is in its early stages and we don’t have much information at this point,” Sgt. David Smith told CBS.
#JSO Homicide Unit is on scene working three people deceased including a small child, in the 8900 block of India Avenue. Foul play is suspected at this time. #JAX #Jacksonville
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) December 13, 2017
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has not released the identities of the victims. However, people who claim to be the relatives of the victims were gathered outside the home.
“We have no idea. The door was locked. We have no idea what happened, just that they’re no longer with us,” one relative told CBS.
The great-grandfather of the youngest victim confirmed that it was his great-granddaughter, Arielle, her 19-year-old mother, Ariyan Johnson, and her 20-year-old father, Quasean Trotter, who were in the house on Tuesday night, reported CBS.
EXCLUSIVE- Ariyan Johnson’s grandfather: “Two weeks ago, I just held my great-granddaughter in my hand, here. And to just imagine that she’s gone from me, my world is crashing right now.” Catch his interview at 5 on @ActionNewsJax. pic.twitter.com/d5tjT7gN5J
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) December 13, 2017
Great grandfather of the youngest victim confirms this is little Arielle who was sadly found dead after a reported house fire. Jso suspects foul play. Her mom also died. pic.twitter.com/Q5cw7oXGjI
— Cole Heath (@ColeANjax) December 13, 2017
JSO Homicide investigation at 8000 block of India Ave Woodland Acres media briefing at 10:20 pic.twitter.com/Mc1kyooHRx
— Ben Becker (@BenBeckerANjax) December 13, 2017
Ariyan Johnson, 19, posted this video with Quasean Trotter, 20, to #Facebook Sunday. She added the caption: "People let me tell you about my best friend." Police say them- and their toddler- were found dead in their burning #Jacksonville home last night. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/IGFPsZLvPl
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) December 13, 2017
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