Burglary investigated at site of double-murder in Phoenix-area killing spree

PHOENIX — Authorities were investigating a burglary at the home where two people were killed in the recent Phoenix-area murder spree that claimed six lives.

The Fountain Hills residence was broken into around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Law enforcement officials said the caller who reported the burglary said there were “suspicious vehicles either parked in front of or driving away from the home.”

When deputies arrived, they did not find any vehicles but noticed several exterior doors to the home were opened. No one was found inside.

Deputies said several rooms had “clearly been gone through” and that property was stolen from the home, but it was unclear what was taken.

Early Monday morning, the bodies of 70-year-old Mary Simmons and 72-year-old Bryon Thomas were found in the home. Authorities said the home was locked and completely secured after the investigation concluded.

Later that day, suspected killer Dwight Lamon Jones died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after police closed in on him at a Scottsdale hotel.

Scottsdale police said Wednesday that Jones and the victims in Fountain Hills met four or five years ago through tennis and would occasionally meet to play at local parks.

Jones’ other four victims were connected on some level to his 2010 divorce case.

One was a nationally prominent forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Steven Pitt, who testified about Jones’ mental health.

Veleria Sharp and Laura Anderson were paralegals who worked for the law firm that represented the suspect’s wife.

Marshall Levine was a marriage counselor who was apparently targeted in a case of mistaken identity.

Police also said Wednesday that they recovered a .40 caliber handgun from the Extended Stay America room where Jones was found dead on Monday.

The firearm has been ballistically linked to the victims in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Follow @KTAR923