Investigation revealed last year's deadly California wildfire that took the life of two people last year had been intentionally set to cover up a murder.
The fire was started in North California's Solano County on 18 Aug 2020 where police found the dead body of the 32-year-old Priscilla Castro. Castro was Previously reported missing after she went on a date with Victor Serriteno, two days before the wildfire.
"Based on an extensive, eight-month investigation, we believe Serriteno deliberately set the Markley Fire in an attempt to conceal his crime," Tom Ferrara, the Solano County Sheriff, said in a briefing.
Serriteno was arrested in September and was accused of killing Ms. Castro. He now faces additional charges of arson and the murders of both men, 82-year-old Douglas Mai and 64-year old Leon "James" Bone, who died in their homes as a result of the fire.
The Markley Fire later merged with a series of other fires to form the LNU Lightning Complex, one of the largest wildfires in the state's history, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The other fires were believed to have been sparked after nearly 11,000 lightning strikes hit the northern part of the state as it endured a historic heatwave.
