House Fire That Killed Two Was Murder/Suicide

"SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — Authorities are now classifying the deaths of a mother and her 3-year-old son in a house fire in Scotch Plains as a homicide-suicide.

"Katherine Halverson, 32, and her son, Jeremy Scott McDonald Jr., were at first thought to have died after getting caught in the fire in their home Tuesday night.

"But following an autopsy conducted this morning, authorities now say Halverson took her son to a small second-floor bedroom, where she set fire to the room, Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow announced this afternoon. The county homicide task force is investigating with Scotch Plains Police, and no possible motive for the killing was announced.

"At a press conference late this afternoon at Scotch Plains Police headquarters, Police Chief Brian Mahoney said Halverson `placed material, like rags in front of the door then poured an accelerant on the rags and lit them on fire.` He said the fire was contained to one side of the door, and was easily doused.

"An autopsy on Halverson and her son revealed both died of smoke inhalation, more specifically from asphyxiation due to inhalation of combustible materials.

"The mother and child were found in the same bedroom shortly after 7:15 p.m., when the fire department was first dispatched to the home on 1918 Church Avenue.

"The family dog, which also died, was found in the same bedroom, authorities said."

From nj.com...