UPDATE: House Fire Deaths May Be Murder-Suicide

By Corinne Alcazar

Published: August 27, 2008

BROOKSIDE- There are new developments into an early morning house fire where two people were found dead in the Brookside area. Around 4:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a call on a house fire in the 3900 block of Archer Road. The Forestdale Fire Department was the first on the scene. Upon arrival, the fire department discovered a well-involved house fire. Adamsville Fire Department also was called to assist with the blaze.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on the scene and found that the house belonged to a husband and wife who lived alone. Friends told deputies that they had spoken to the couple last night before they were going to bed. The two bodies that found were found in the house are believed to be the homeowners, Joseph and June Yates.

Detectives have now discovered that both victims appear to have suffered from gunshot wounds. A handgun was found next to the man’s body. The preliminary conclusion is this case is likely a murder-suicide. The investigation is ongoing and the cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

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