A married couple in their late 70s were found tied up and burned to death inside their Queens home Monday afternoon, and the New York Police Department is searching for a man it says may have set the blaze.
Firefighters extinguished the fire in the Bellerose neighborhood, about two miles from Belmont Park racetrack, and medics pronounced the 77-year-old man and 78-year-old woman dead at the scene at about 3:30 p.m., authorities said. Their names have not been released pending family notification.
The NYPD described the case as a suspected arson double homicide and released a surveillance still of a potential suspect, described as a 30- to 40-year-old male of dark complexion, medium build, last seen wearing a black hat, black jacket, black sneakers and blue jeans. Police asked anyone with information to contact the department’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, submit tips online at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or share information on X at @NYPDTips.
FDNY fire marshals, homicide detectives and investigators from the city medical examiner’s office were seen at the scene, where scorched furniture had been moved to the lawn and debris littered the interior. A baking sheet hanging on a wall read, "Grandma Kelly's Pan. Retired 2020," visible in images taken at the house. Officials were seen using a battery-powered saw to access parts of the property during the investigation.
Fox 5 New York reported that about 60 firefighters battled the blaze for less than an hour. Authorities said the fire is believed to have been started on the first floor before spreading through the house.
Neighbors said the male victim had lived in the home for roughly four decades and was an avid Yankees fan. "That was our conversation — the Yankees was always conversation," one neighbor said, describing the sense of shock in the community.
No arrests have been announced. Investigators continue to process the scene and review video and physical evidence to determine the sequence of events and to confirm the identity of the suspect captured on surveillance footage.
The NYPD said the investigation remains active and urged anyone with relevant information to come forward. The medical examiner will determine the official causes and times of death after an autopsy.