Sep 9, 2008 12:11 pm US/Eastern
Police Search For Clues In Burnt Irvington Home
Fire Believed To Be Cover-Up Of Double-Homicide
Reporting
Jay Dow
IRVINGTON, N.J. (CBS) ―
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Three bodies were found after a house fire Monday morning, and the Essex County prosecutor said it appears the fire was set to conceal a homicide. A fourth person was injured. Detectives said at least two of the victims had been shot.
CBS
Police are searching for clues in a destroyed Irvington home Tuesday morning, following the murders of four women. Whoever did it tried to cover up the crime by setting the scene on fire.
Three teenagers and a 40-year-old woman who cared for them were killed Monday morning and the apartment where the victims were found was set on fire.
Investigators are now searching for the killer who shot two of the victims before apparently trying to hide the evidence by setting the home ablaze.
Friends, family and neighbors are all asking the same question: Why would someone do this. The motive is still unclear.
"An unidentified person entered the apartment on the first floor and argued with someone in that apartment. Shortly after that argument, multiple gunshots were heard being fired," said Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow. "It's a horrific crime scene."
Two of the victims, Latrisha Fields-Carruthers, 13, and Zakiyyha Jones, 18, were rushed to local hospitals where they were pronounced dead. Fields-Carruthers took a gunshot wound to the head, police say.
"Whoever did it was sick. They killed kids, babies," said Raheema White, who knew the victims.
The other two victims, a third teen who has not yet been identified, and 40-year-old Candy McLean, were found in a bedroom in the first floor apartment, their bodies severely burned police said.
"She loved her kids, she helped everybody out," said April Middleton, McLean's sister. "It's the devil. It must be the devil, Satan. That's all I can say, just the devil running loose."
A baby was removed from the home unharmed.
Friends, neighbors and loved ones have been dropping off photos and candles of the victims.
Police are offering up to a $10,000 reward for the arrest of the suspect or suspects wanted in connection with this crime. Anyone with information about this incident should contact the Prosecutors Homicide Squad at 973-621-4586.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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