Man accused of killing person, starting deadly 2020 Markley Fire to cover it up
After an 8-month long investigation the Solano County Sheriff s Office says the Markley Fire was started by arson. Author: Alanea Cremen Updated: 5:29 PM PDT April 28, 2021
SOLANO COUNTY, Calif. The Markley Fire, which left two people dead in August 2020, was started by arson, according to the Solano County Sheriff s Office.
At a press conference Wednesday, the sheriff s office revealed that the wildfire sparked on August 18, later merged with the Hennessey Fire and was eventually included with the LNU Lightning Complex.
Two people were killed in the fire, 82-year-old Douglass Mai and 64-year-old Leon James Bone.
California man Victor Serriteno set historic Markley Fire to cover up a murder, prosecutors allege washingtonpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from washingtonpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Sheriff: Man intentionally set deadly California wildfire to cover up a murder
Solano County Sheriff s Office
Solano County Sheriff Tom Ferrara
and last updated 2021-04-29 14:11:09-04
SOLANO COUNTY, Calif. â Authorities in Northern California have charged a man they believe set a deadly wildfire last year in an attempt to cover up a murder.
After an 8-month criminal investigation, the Solano County Sheriffâs Office and Cal-Fire announced Wednesday that theyâve determined the cause of the 2020 Markley Fire was arson. That wildfire killed two people in the county and those deaths are now considered homicides.
In the aftermath of the fire that started on Aug. 18, officials say they found two victims deceased in their homes, 82-year-old Douglas Mai and 64-year-old Leon âJamesâ Bone. Additionally, the body of a missing person, Priscilla Castro, was discovered in the Stebbins-Cold Canyon area.
Serriteno pleaded not guilty to her murder.
Castro vanished on Aug. 16 after failing to return home from a planned date with Serriteno in Vacaville, authorities said. The two had met online.
Two days later, a blaze dubbed the Markley Fire erupted in the area where Castro s body was found and merged with other blazes to become the LNU Lightning Complex, which caused six deaths and destroyed about 1,500 homes and other buildings.
Two of the fire victims 82-year old Douglas Mai and 64-year old Leon “James” Bone were found dead in their homes in unincorporated Solano County, the Sheriff s Office said.
A man charged with killing a woman in Northern California was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of setting a fire to cover up the crime that spread and killed two.