A house fire in Santa Monica claimed the lives of Helen and Anthony Spaulding, a couple married for 73 years, both aged 92. Firefighters discovered their bodies early Sunday morning within their residence on the 500 block of Lincoln Boulevard after the blaze had significantly damaged the home.
Paramedics attempted life-saving measures on the couple after they were pulled from the home simultaneously, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the deceased as Helen and Anthony Spaulding.
Helen Spaulding's death has been officially ruled an accident, attributed to smoke inhalation and thermal burns. The manner of Anthony Spaulding's death remains undetermined pending further investigation.
Their son, Bruce Spaulding, shared a poignant tribute on social media, noting the tragic end to their 73-year marriage due to the fire. He wrote, "This is a tribute to lasting love my parents had for each other. Their marriage of 73 years tragically ended early Sunday morning as they passed away from a house fire in the family home."
The couple's caregiver, Rick Garcia, described Helen and Anthony as a "lovely couple" with a strong relationship and five devoted children. He also mentioned that Anthony was a former attorney and Helen had worked at a local church. "They had a great relationship, five lovely children, all very dedicated to their parents. It’s very tragic," Garcia told reporters.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of foul play, according to Garcia, who stated that investigators are working to determine the origin of the fire.
The Spauldings owned multiple properties, including an apartment building in Venice and rental apartments in Los Angeles, which together had an estimated market value of $1.6 million.
