Fire Deaths Ruled Murder/Suicide

"ROBBINS, NC — Authorities have ruled two bodies found inside a burning home last week a murder-suicide. Firefighters called to the scene Aug. 29 found the bodies of Santana Vernal Sanchez, 28, and Apolonio Barrita Bustamonte in a front room of the house at 581 E. Lake St. in Robbins.

"`They were both burned beyond recognition,` said Police Chief Jeff Sheffield. `We had to wait for identification based on dental records.`

"Now that autopsies have been completed and determined Sanchez was murdered and Bustamonte killed himself—and families of all involved have been notified—Sheffield was able to release their names and conclude his investigation with the murder-suicide determination.

"Police originally said a Hispanic male in his late 20s ran out into the street at about 3 p.m. that Monday and flagged down a vehicle. The driver, who works at nearby American Growler, took him to the police department after he said he’d been shot.

"That man, Juan Carlos Sanchez, 29, had three .32 caliber bullet wounds in his back, Sheffield said this week. The deceased woman found in the home was his cousin. He was treated at the station by EMS and later at a local hospital. Sanchez is back home with family members now, the chief said.

"Investigation, with help from the SBI and the office of Sheriff Lane Carter, determined that Bustamonte murdered Santana Sanchez—his former girlfriend and mother of his 2 year old—then shot Juan Sanchez before setting the house on fire and killing himself, Sheffield said.

"`We are ruling this a murder-suicide,` Sheffield said."

From ThePilot.com...