3 victims found dead inside burning home in Cypress identified, arson and murder investigations underway (2024)

CYPRESS, Texas – Authorities in Cypress are investigating to determine whether a mother, her son, and his girlfriend were murdered inside their home on Plains River Drive in the Cypress Mill Park community -- before the home was set on fire.

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The initial investigation has revealed that the fire was likely set deliberately using an accelerant.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez provided an update via X (formerly Twitter), Monday stating the victims have been tentatively identified as Kelly Masciarelli, her adult son Kolin Foster, and his girlfriend Cameryn Richard.

The three were living together in the home, and it was unclear if anyone else had been staying at the residence.

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.

One of the victims was found on the first floor, while the other two were located upstairs.

Arson investigators said the fire was started after the three were dead.

Neighbors described the family as friendly but reserved.

Maria Vazquez recounted waking up to the sight of firefighters, police, and ambulances outside her home. Initially suspecting a gas leak, she was later informed by police about the fire.

“When I woke up I said ‘Oh something happened. Something weird happened outside.’ I saw a lot of firefighters outside, police, ambulance and I say, ‘What happened?’ I thought there was a leak, a gas because I saw CenterPoint, but I was speaking with one of the police and they told me there was a fire.”

A neighbor told to KPRC 2′s Cathy Hernandez the house was equipped with a Ring camera, which could potentially provide video footage to aid in the investigation.

The Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to conduct autopsies to determine the exact cause of death. Authorities are hopeful that evidence, including potential surveillance video, will lead to identifying the person responsible for this horrific crime.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the HCSO Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

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What happened?

A Sunday house fire led to the discovery of three people believed to have been murdered inside a Cypress home.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office says the bodies of a mother, her son, and his girlfriend were found inside the home off Plains River Drive in the Cypress Mill Park Community.

Investigators believe they were already dead before the fire started.

Investigators aren’t saying how they believe the three people died, only saying they’re waiting on their autopsy results.

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Detectives are hoping surveillance video in the area and evidence from the home will provide answers.

A red Corvette towed away from the home is now an area of interest for detectives.

It was found in the driveway of the home where the three were believed to have been killed before their house was set on fire.

“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,” said Sgt. Michael Ritchie with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

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Detectives say the son recently bought the Corvette. Investigators believe the last person in the car was not the son.

A neighbor told KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel she heard a car door slam, other neighbors said they didn’t hear anything before the home was engulfed in flames.

“This has been a little unusual,” one neighbor said.

Detectives believe one person was found on the first floor and the other two were found upstairs. All three had trauma to their bodies.

Sgt. Ritchie believes the suspect ran out of the back of the home. KPRC 2 saw a crime scene investigator placing evidence markers near a fence at a nearby park behind the home.

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Sgt. Ritchie says an accelerant was used to start the fire. He says setting a fire after a homicide is a common tactic killers use to try and cover their tracks.

The fire makes it more difficult, but detectives believe there is enough evidence left at the scene.

“It’s difficult to say this early in the investigation, but I do believe there’s still enough evidence. As you can see, you know, the house behind me, it’s still intact. It wasn’t completely burned down. Not everything inside was destroyed. So we have been able to recover some evidence,” Ritchie said.

Detectives are hoping the evidence in the red Corvette can lead them to the driver.

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Investigators don’t know yet if they are looking for one more multiple suspects.

More information from Monday

KPRC 2 learned on Monday that detectives believe the murders are not random, but everything is still under investigation.

The back of the home is where deputies believe the killer made their way inside before killing the three people, then intentionally setting the home on fire. Investigators believe the suspect also ran out the back of the home.

A neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, said several neighbors rushed to help when the house was engulfed in flames.

“The longer it was going without seeing the neighbors there, without seeing an ambulance around, getting more and more kind of concerned and worried about what happened for them. And then as the course of the day went on, we eventually found out exactly what had happened or more details,” said the anonymous neighbor.

“The thought that as we were sleeping peacefully in our beds, just a few doors over, this horrible thing was happening for our neighbors,” said the anonymous neighbor.

“It’ll be a relief when they’re able to announce they have a suspect in custody. I hope for their family to be able to get some kind of peace. Seems like a ridiculous word in this situation, but some kind of comfort. Some kind of relief,” said the anonymous neighbor.

The neighbor said Masciarelli was nice and offered help after recent storms.

“They kept to themselves, though when we did see them and interact, they were she was nice and friendly,” said the anonymous neighbor.