ARIZONA NEWS

Man arrested for allegedly murdering 3, setting fire to apartment in Phoenix

Jul 19, 2024, 8:30 PM | Updated: Aug 28, 2024, 12:04 pm

Crime tape and a police SUV are seen at the seen of a Phoenix apartment fire on July 15. Homicide a...

Authorities launched homicide and arson investigations after three bodies were found in the aftermath of a Phoenix apartment fire on July 15, 2024. (Phoenix Fire Department Photo)

(Phoenix Fire Department Photo)

PHOENIX — A man was arrested Friday in connection with three dead bodies that were found after an apartment fire Monday in Phoenix, authorities said.

Chase Christman, 30, was booked into jail on three counts of murder and one count of weapons misconduct, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

A July 15 Ahwatukee-area apartment fire near 48th Street and Warner Road became a homicide case when firefighters extinguished the blaze and found three people dead inside.

The victims obvious signs of trauma that weren’t caused by the fire, police said Monday, noting the incident would be investigated by arson and homicide task forces.

Police released the names of the victims on Thursday as 27-year-old Merissa Honeycutt, 25-year-old Anthony Frederickson-Ceccarelli and 37-year-old Samuel Lott.

Investigators determined that the homicides occurred the day before the fire. Christman was identified as the lone suspect through digital and physical evidence that placed him at the original crime scene and made it clear he knew the three victims, police said.

When he was arrested, Christman admitted being at the apartment but did not confess to the homicides, police said.

This is an updated version of a story originally published on July 18, 2024.

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Man arrested for allegedly murdering 3, setting fire to apartment in Phoenix